A 



BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



OF 



CALHOUN COUNTY 



IOWA 



ILLUSTRATKD. 



'J'lic people that take no pride in the )ioble achieveiiieiils of remote ancestors zvill never achieve 
anvthi7ig v.-ortliy to be rentcmlnreJ with pride bv remote generations. — Macaui.av. 



l€ 



NEW YORK AND CHICAGO: 

The S. J. Ci.ARKE Puhlishim; Company. 

1902. 







Biography is the only true History. — Emerson. 

A people that take no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors 

will nevei achieve anything,' worthy to be remembered with 

pride by remote generations. — Macaulay, 



-*—»-—-* 



^-<i i:^ 

-^^ 



l^%0'j-^5 



PREFACB. 



Tj HE greatest of English historians, Macaulay, and one of the most 
f, brilliant writers of the present century, has said : "The history of a 
P country is best told in a record of the lives of its people." In con- 
I formity with this idea, the Biographical Record has been prepared. 
Instead of going to musty records, and taking therefrom dry statistical 
matter that can be appreciated by but few, our corps of writers have 
gone to the people, the men and women who have, by their enterprise 
and industry, brought this county to a rank second to none among 
those comprising this great and noble State, and from their lips have the story of their life 
struggles. Xo more interesting or instructive matter could be presented to an intelligent 
public. In this volume will be found a record of many whose lives are worthy the imitation 
of coming generations. It tells how some, commencing life in poverty, by industry and 
econom}-, have accumulated wealth. It tells how others, with limited advantages for securing 
an education, have become learned men and women, with an influence extending throughout 
the length and breadth of the land. It tells of men who have risen from the lower walks- of 
life to eminence as statesmen, and whose names have become famous. It tells of those in 
everv walk in life who have striven to succeed, and records how that success has usu- 
ally crowned their efforts. It tells also of those, who, not seeking the applause of the 
world, have pursued the " even te,nor of their way," content to have it said of them, as Christ 
said of the woman performing a deed of mercy — "They nave done what they could." It 
tells how many, in the pride and strength of young manhood, left the plow and the aiivil, the 
lawyer's office and the counting-room, left every trade and profession, and at their country's 
call went forth valiantly " to do or die," and how through their efforts the Union was 
restored and peace once more reigned in the land. In the life of every man and of every 
woman is a lesson that should not be lost upon those who follow after. 

Coming generations will appreciate this volume and preserve it as a sacred treasure, from 
the fact that it contains so much that would never find its way into public records, and which 
would otherwise be inaccessible. Great care has been taken in the compilation of the work 
and every opportunity possible given to those represented to insure correctness in what has 
been written ; and the publishers flatter themselves that they give to their readers a work with 
few errors of consequence. In addition to biographical sketches, portraits of a number of 
representative citizens are given. 

The faces of some, and biographical sketches of many, will be missed in this volume. 
For this the publishers are not to blame. Not having a proper conception of the work, some 
refused to give the information necessary to compile a sketch, while others were indifferent. 
Occasionally some member of the family would oppose the enterprise, and on account of such 
opposition the support of the interested one would be withheld. In a few instances men 
never could be found, though repeated calls were made at their residence or place of business. 



June, 1902. 



The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. 



'^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^!^ 



^tt^ / 



CONTENTS 



'^'^^'^'^ilxff'id^'^^'^l^'^^'^^'^'^^'^ 




GENERAL INDEX. 



Table of Contents, 

iNTRODrCTORV, 



3 
11 



Compendium of National Biography, • 13 
Compendium of Local Biography, - 223 



INDEX TO FART I. 



Compendium of National Biography. 



Biographical Sketches of National Celebrities. 



PAGE 

Abbott, Lyman 144 

Adams, Charles Kendall 143 

Adams, John 25 

Adams, John Quincy 61 

Agassiz, Louis J. R 137 

Alger, Russell A 173 

Allison, William B 131 

Allston, Washington 190 

Altgeld, John Peter 140 

Andrews, Elisha B 184 

Anthony, Susan B 62 

Armour, Philip D 62 

Arnold, Benedict 84 

Arthur, Chester Allen 168 

Astor, John Jacob 139 

Audubon, John James 166 

Bailey, James Montgomery... 177 

Bancroft, George 74 

Barnard, Frederick A. P 179 

Barnum, Phineas T 41 

Barrett, Lawrence ir)6 

Barton, Clara 209 

Bayard, Thomas Francis 200 

Beard, William H 196 

Beauregard, Pierre G. T 203 

Beecher. Henry Ward 26 

Bell, Alexander Graham 90 

Bennett, James Gordon 206 

Benton, Thomas Hart 53 

Bergh, Henry 160 

Bierstadt, Albert 197 

Billings, Josh 166 

Blaine, James Gillespie 22 

Bland, Richard Parks 106 



PAGE 

Boone, Daniel 36 

Booth, Edwin 61 

Booth, Junius Brutus 177 

Brice, Calvin S 181 

Brooks, Phillips 130 

Brown, John 51 

Brown, Charles Farrar 91 

Brush, Charles Francis 153 

Bryan, William Jennings 158 

Bryant, William Cullen . 44 

Buchanan, Franklin 105 

Buchanan, James 128 

Buckner, Simon Boliver 188 

Burdette, Robert J 103 

Burr, Aaron- .. Ill 

Butler, Benjamin Franklin. ... 24 

Calhoun, John Caldwell 23 

Cameron, James Donald 141 

Cameron, Simon 141 

Cammack, Addison 197 

Campbell, Alexander 180 

Carlisle, John G 133 

Carnegie, Andrew 73 

Carpenter, Matthew Hale 178 

Carson, Christopher (Kit). .... 86 

Cass, Lewis 110 

Chase, Salmon Portland 65 

Childs, George W 83 

Choate, Rufus 207 

Chaflin, Horace Brigham 107 

Clay, Henry 21 

Clemens, Samuel Langhorne. . 86 

Cleveland, Grover 174 

Clews, Henry 153 



PAGE. 

Clinton, DeWitt 110 

Colfax, Schuyler 139 

Conklin, Alfred 32 

Conklin, Roscoe 32 

Cooley, Thomas Mclntyre.... 140 

Cooper, James Fenimore 58 

Cooper, Peter 37 

Copely, John Singleton 191 

Corbin, Austin 205 

Corcoran, W.W 196 

Cornell, Ezra 161 

Cramp, William 189 

Crockett, David 76 

Cullom, Shelby Moore 116 

Curtis, George William 144 

Cushman, Charlotte 107 

Custer, George A 95 

Dana, Charles A 88 

"Danbury News Man" 177 

Davenport, Fanny.. , 106 

Davis, Jefferson 24 

Debs, Eugene V 132 

Decatur, Stephen 101 

Deering, William 198 

Depew, Chauncey Mitchell... 209 

Dickinson, Anna 103 

Dickinson, Don M 139 

Dingley, Nelson, Jr 215 

Donnelly, Ignatius 161 

Douglas, Stephen .Vrnold 53 

Douglass, Frederick 43 

Dow, Neal 108 

Draper, John William. ...... 184 



TABLE OF CONTENTS— PART I 



PAGE 

Drexel, Anthony Joseph 124 

Dupont, Henry 198 

Edison, Thomas Alva 55 

EdmundSi George F 201 

Ellsworth, Oliver 168 

Emerson, Ralph Waldo 57 

Ericsson, John 127 

Evarts, William Maxwell 89 

Farragut, David Glascoe 80 

Field, Cyrus West 173 

Field, Uavid Dudley 126 

Field. Marshall 59 

Field, Stephen Johnson 216 

Fillmore, Millard 113 

Foote, Andrew Hull 176 

Foraker, Joseph B 143 

Forrest, Edwin 92 

Franklin, Benjamin 18 

Fremont, John Charles 29 

Fuller, Melville Weston 168 

Fulton, Robert 62 

Gage, Lyman J 71 

Gallatin; Albert 112 

Garfield, James A .... 163 

Garrett, John Work 200 

Garrison, William Lloyd 50 

Gates, Horatio 70 

Gatling, Richard Jordan 116 

(Seorge, Henry 203 

Gibbons, Cardinal James 209 

Gilmore, Patrick Sarsfield 77 

Girard, Stephen 1.37 

Gough, John B 131 

Gould, Jay 52 

Gordon, John B 215 

Grant, Ulysses S 155 

Gray , Asa 88 

Gray, Elisha 149 

Greeley, Adolphus W 142 

Greeley, Horace 20 

Greene, Nathaniel 69 

Gresham, Walter Quintin 183 

Hale, Edward Everett 79 

Hall, Charles Francis 167 

Hamilton, Alexander 31 

Hamlin, Hannibal 214 

Hampton, Wade 192 

Hancock, Winfield Scott 146 

Hanna, Marcus Alonzo 169 

Harris, Isham G 214 

Harrison, William Henry 87 

Harrison, Benjamin 182 

Harvard, John 129 

Havemeyer, John Craig 182 

Hawthorne, Nathaniel 135 

Hayes, Rutherford Birchard.. . 157 

Hendricks, Thomas Andrew. . 212 

Henry, Joseph 105 

Henrv, Patrick 83 

Hill.David Bennett 90 

Hobart, Garrett A 213 

Holmes, Oliver Wendell 206 

Hooker, Joseph 52 

Howe, Elias 1,30 

Howells, William Uean 104 



PAGE 

Houston, Sam 120 

Hughes, Archbishop John 157 

Hughitt, .Marvin 159 

Hull, Isaac 169 

Huntington, CoUis Potter 94 

Ingalls, John James 114 

IngersoU, Robert G 85 

Irving, Washington 33 

Jackson, Andrew 71 

Jackson, " Stonewall " 67 

Jackson, Thomas Jonathan 67 

Jay, John 39 

Jefferson, Joseph 47 

Jefferson, Thomas 34 

Johnson, Andrew 14.5 

Johnson, Eastman 202 

Johnston, Joseph Eccleston... . 85 

Jones, James K 171 

Jones, John Paul 97 

Jones, Samuel Porter 115 

Kane, Elisha Kent 125 

Kearney, Philip 210 

Kenton, Simon 188 

Knox, John Jay 134 

Lamar, Lucius Q. C 201 

Landon, Melville D 109 

Lee, Robert Edward 38 

Lewis, Charles B 193 

Lincoln, Abraham 135 

Livermore, Mary Ashton 131 

Locke, David Ross 172 

Logan, John A 26 

Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth 37 

Longstreet, James 56 

Lowell, Tames Russell 104 

Mackay, John William 148 

Madison, James 42 

Marshall, John 156 

Mather, Cotton 164 

Mather, Increase 163 

Maxim, Hiram S 194 

McClellan, George Brinton.. . . 47 

McCormick. Cyrus Hall 172 

McDonough, Com. Thomas.. . 167 

McKinley, William 217 

Meade, George Gordon 75 

Medill, Joseph 159 

Miles, Nelson A 176 

Miller, Cincinnatus Heine 218 

Miller, Joaquin 218 

Mills, Roger Quarles 211 

Monroe, lames 54 

Moody, Dwight L 207 

Moran, Thomas 98 

Morgan, John Pierpont 208 

Morgan, John T 216 

Morris, Robert 165 

Morse, Samuel F. B 124 

Morton, Levi P 142 

Morton, Oliver Perry 215 

Motley, John Lathrop 130 

"Nye, Bill" 59 

Nye, Edgar Wilson 59 



PAGE 

O'Conor, Charles 187 

OIney, Richard 133 

Paine, Thomas 147 

Palmer, John M 195 

Parkhurst, Charles Henry 160 

"Partington, Mrs." 202 

Peabody, George 170 

Peck, George W 187 

Peffer, William A 164 

Perkins, Eli 109 

Perrv, Oliver Hazard 97 

Phill'ips, Wendell 30 

Pierce, Franklin 122 

Pingree, Hazen S 212 

Plant, Henry B 192 

Poe, Edgar Allen 69 

Polk, James Knox 102 

Porter, David Dixon 68 

Porter, Noah 93 

Prentice, George Denison.. . . 119 

Prescott, William Hickling.... 96 

Pullman, George Mortimer.... 121 

Quad, M 193 

Quay Matthews 171 

Randolph, Edmund 136 

Read, Thomas Buchanan 132 

Reed, Thomas Brackett 208 

Reid, Whitelaw 149 

Roach, John 190 

Rockefeller, John Davison.... 195 

Root, George Frederick 218 

Rothermel, Peter F 113 

Rutledge, John 57 

Sage, Russell 211 

Schofield, John McAllister 199 

Schurz, Carl 201 

Scott, Thomas Alexander 204 

Scott, Winfield 79 

Seward, William Henry 44 

Sharon, William 165 

Shaw. Henry W 166 

Sheridan, Phillip Henry 40 

Sherman. Charles R 87 

Sherman, John 86 

Shillaber, Benjamin Penhallow 202 

Sherman, William Tecumseh.. 80 

Smith, Edmund Kirby 114 

Sousa, John Philip 60 

Spreckels, Claus 159 

Stanford, Leland 101 

Stanton, Edwin McMasters. . . 179 

Stanton, Elizabeth Cady 126 

Stephens, .Alexander Hamilton 32 

Stephenson, Adlai Ewing. .. . 141 

Stewart, Alexander T 58 

Stewart, William Morris 213 

Stowe, Harriet Elizabeth 

Beecher 66 

Stuart, James E. B 122 

Sumner, Charles 34 

Talmage, Thomas DeWitt . . 60 

Taney, Roger Brook"* 129 

Taylor, Zacharv 108 

Teller, Henrv M 127 



TABLE OF CONTENTS— PART I 



PAGE 

Tesla, Nikola 193 

Thomas, George H 73 

Thomas, Theodore 172 

Thurman, Allen G 90 

Thurston, John M ;... 106 

Tilden, Samuel J 48 

Tillman, Benjamin Ryan 119 

Toombs, Robert 205 

"Twain, Mark" 86 

Tyler, John 93 

Van Buren, Martin 78 

Vanderbilt, Cornelius 85 

Vail, Alfred 154 

Vest, George Graham 214 



PAGE 

Vilas, William Freeman 140 

Voorhees, Daniel Wolsey 95 

Waite, Morrison Remich 125 

Wallace, Lewis 199 

Wallack, Lester 121 

Wallack, John Lester 121 

Wanamalier, John 89 

Ward, "Artemus " 91 

Washburne, Elihu Benjamin. . 189 

Washington, George 17 

Watson, Thomas E 178 

Watterson, Henry 76 

Weaver, James B 123 

Webster, Daniel 19 



PAGE 

Webster, Noah : . . 49 

Weed, Thurlow 91 

West, Benjamin 115 

Whipple, Henry Benjamin. .. . 161 

White, Stephen V 162 

Whitefield, George 150 

Whitman, Walt 197 

Whitney, Eli 120 

Whitney, William Collins 92 

Whittier, John Greenleaf 67 

Willard, Frances E 133 

Wilson, William L 180 

Winchell, Alexander 175 

Windom, William 138 



PORTRAITS OF NATIONAL CELEBRITIES. 



PAGE 

Alger, Russell A 16 

Allison, William B 99 

Anthony, Susan B 63 

Armour, Philip D 151 

Arthur, Chester A 81 

Barnum, Phineas T 117 

Beecher, Henry Ward 27 

Blaine, James G 151 

Booth, Edwin 63 

Brvan, Wm. J 63 

Bryant, William CuUen 185 

Buchanan, James 81 

Buckner, Simon B 16 

Butler Benjamin F 151 

Carlisle, John G 151 

Chase, Salmon P 16 

Childs, George W 99 

Clay, Henry 81 

Cleveland, Grover 45 

Cooper, Peter 99 

Dana, Charles A 151 

Depew,Chauncey M 117 

Douglass, Fred 63 

Emerson, Ralph Waldo 27 

Evart.s, William M 99 

Farragut, Com. D. G 185 

Field, Cyrus W 63 



PAGE 

Field, Marshall 117 

Franklin, Benjamin 63 

Fremont, Gen. John C 16 

Gage, Lyman J 151 

Garfield, James A 45 

Garrison, William Lloyd 63 

George, Henry 117 

Gould, lay 99 

Grant, Gen. U. S 185 

Greeley, Horace 81 

Hampton, Wade 16 

Hancock, Gen. Winfield S 185 

Hanna, Mark A 117 

Harrison, Benjamin 81 

Hayes, R. B 45 

Hendricks, Thomas A 81 

Holmes, Oliver W 151 

Hooker, Gen. Joseph 16 

Ingersoll, Robert G 117 

Irving, Washington 27 

Jackson, Andrew 45 

Jefferson, Thomas 45 

Johnston, Gen. J. E 16 

Lee, Gen. Robert E 185 

Lincoln, Abraham 81 

Logan, Gen. John A 16 

Longfellow, Henry W 185 



PAGE 

Longstrect, Gen. James 16 

Lowell, James Russell 27 

McKinley, William 45 

Morse, S. F. B 185 

Phillips, Wendell 27 

Porter, Com. D. D 185 

Pullman, George M 117 

Quay, M. S 99 

Reed, Thomas B 151 

Sage, Russell 117 

Scott, Gen. Winfield 185 

Seward, William H 45 

Sherman, John " 99 

Sherman, Gen. W. T. 151 

Stanton, Elizabeth Cady 27 

Stowe, Harriet Beecher 27 

Sumner, Charles 45 

Talmage, T. DeWitt 63 

Teller, Henry M 99 

Thurman, Allen G 81 

Tilden, Samuel J 117 

\'an Buren, Martin 81 

A'anderbilt, Commodore 99 

Webster, Daniel 27 

Whittier, John G 2^ 

Washington, George 45 

Watterson, Henry.'. 63 



INDEX. 



PAGE 

Alexander. C. W.... 484 

Anderson. Ola 581 

Arenson, Ole 3S4 

Arney. Ira R 313 

Aton, Levi D 259 

Baker, J. H 526 

Baker. Wendel 452 

BalUtadt, Charles 363 

Bassett. O. E 443 

Bates. Clifton A 228 

Blair, John B 257 

Bleain. David y/2 

Bolander, Henrv J 348 

Botsford. Richard 527 

Boyce. M. S 393 

Braginton. James 409 

Brand. August 519 

Briggs. E. A 380 

Brock. Benjamin 358 

Brooks. E. S 570 

Brown, David M 236 

Brown, Geo. G 352 

Brown. John 42" 

Brown. J. L 453 

Brown. W. H 517 

Burch. Edwin \V 4Q3 

Burch, Rollin 287 

Burrough. John Pym 528 

Bultolph, William W 256 

Carskaddon. Alva 292 

Campbell, F. L 440 

Campbell. Jeremiah M 314 

Campbell, Mike D. 43' 

Carlson, Carl 340 

Carmichael. C. C 473 

Cass. J. Frank 371 

Cavanaugh. John 346 

Clark, .\ndrew 399 

Clark. Jasper 537 

Clark. William 379 

Coates, Ge<irgc 260 

Cole. Charles T 463 

Combs Brothers 455 

Cook. Levi 252 

Cooper. Walter J 532 

Corey, James \i 530 

Craig. J. W 278 

Crawford, S. G 244 



PAGE 

Dalton. John F 339 

Danforth. L. F 254 

Davidson. W. H 330 

Dea'dman. E, C 531 

Dehart. George J 226 

Dellinger, George W 462 

Dougherty. Tohn 536 

Douglass, Asa C 317 

Dowling, Charles T 286 

Drommer. C. L 539 

Ellis. William 351 

Eshbaugh. Alfred W z^i 

Eslick. Dr. L. E 447 

Fitch. William H 300 

Fleck. W. S 400 

Fluharty. David 349 

Fonts. J. F 418 

Freeburger, B. F 546 

French. David H 458 

Fulkerson, Cyrus sS^ 

Fulton, C. D 584 

Glover, Robert 429 

Graham. S. C 312 

Gregg. John W 447 

Gregory. E. L 565 

Griffin. Thos. P 336 

Griffith. James 291 

Grove. Jacob A 234 

Hackett. Thos. R 354 

Harrison, John G 568 

Harshbarger. Henrv 240 

Hatch. E. B 576 

Hawkins, L. D 272 

Hedlund. O. L 422 

Hews, Robert H 377 

Hobbs, E. L 578 

Hochschwender. Chris 475 

Holm. Erick G 295 

Holtorf, C. C 411 

Holtorf, Fred 569 

Horton, R. A 542 

Houlihan. John J 308 

Hudson. Joseph 389 

Hutif. F. P 345 

Hulett. Wm. L 426 

Hutchison. ^L E 225 



PAGE 

Hutchison. S. T 282 

Hutzell. H. C 261 

Her, John W 577 

Jackson. E. S 370 

Jacobs, John W 296 

Johnson. Rudolph D 239 

Jones. E. A 567 

Jorgensen. L. Peter 295 

Judge. Henry 388 

Kelly. T. A 311 

Kenning. John 353 

Kent, S. L 486 

Land. John A 457 

Lanphier. J. J 241 

Lavender. Jas. K 231 

Lester, G. E 469 

Lewis, C. W 580 

Lewis, Washington 450 

Long. G. 1 433 

Long, T. D 433 

Long. William B 251 

love. H. A 325 

Lucas. R. B 392 

Mack. Mansfield E S82 

^L^lden. J. F 548 

Marsh, H. H 420 

Martin. D. T 494 

Maulsbv. Thos. C 307 

McClure, E. B 248 

McClure, James 237 

McConeky, John ,335 

McCord, Robert L 262 

McCrary. I. Brown 446 

McCrarv. T. W 550 

McCulloch. W. C 437 

Meusburger, Alois 255 

Michael, Oliver 276 

Milburn. John T 369 

Miller, David A 503 

Miller. James M 229 

Moore. Hugh C 488 

Morris. Charles F 496 

Mullarky. Dr. H 444 

Nelson, Swan 381 



INDEX. 



PAGE 

Nicholson, C. R 564 

Norris, D. E 250 

O'Connor. Michael 417 

Olcott, George 415 

Overacker, Alanson Q. 242 

Owen, J. E 583 

Parsons. Henry 402 

Pell. James H 455 

Peterson, Malcom 419 

Peterson, Peter 390 

Phifer. William H 270 

Pitstick, John 293 

Pittman, W. D 561 

Pray, G. L ' 310 

Puffer, Frank S 297 

Radley. Samuel, Sr 498 

Ramige. Frederick B ^20 

Randlett, G. W 435 

Rasmess, John 374 

Reading, AI. M 520 

Rench, John H 268 

Richey, E. F 338 

Ricliardson, Clark 319 

Richmond, H.J 367 

Richter, A. G 505 

Rielwck, J. W 563 



PAGE 

Ringgenberg. H. A 559 

Risely, A. L ., z^y 

Rix. Henry 560 

Rose, Charles 401 

Sandv. J. C 558 

Sandy. William R 398 

Schmidt. Ambrose 556 

Scay. James W 439 

Sebem, Bert E 414 

Sebern, J. J 356 

Sebern, T. H 557 

Sherman, E, B 465 

Shrader. F. R 413 

Smith, J'. B 298 

Smith, M. JNI 476 

Smith, Richard A 279 

Smith, W. T 289 

Snyder, O. H 551 

Spawn, F. B 482 

Sperry, Fay "^.^T, 

Starr, George B 375 

Steinberg, H. V 509 

Stewart, Robt. A 315 

Stonebraker, B. E 275 

Somerville. John A'>,2 

Surrell, W. C 541 

Taylor. J. A. C 448 



PAGE 

ThoiTipson, W. L 510 

Titus, Charles W 474 

Toop, Jesse J 277 

Townsend, D. J 223 

Townsend. Sanford H 273 

Townsend, W. A 492 

\ an Home, James 343 

Warehime, John F 306 

Wartchow, J. B 470 

Webb, William 309 

Weikert, W. H 387 

Westveer, Abraham M 243 

Whittlesey, C. A 507 

Wickmann, Charles 395 

Williams, A. A 436 

Williams, J. E 334 

Wilson, J. F 508 

Wise, Chas. H 2ii 

Wood. Andrew 271 

Wooden, Orrin 506 

Wright, George C 478 

Wilson, J. W 281 

^^'ilson, L. D 329 

Vagen, Martin 445 

Vates, Louisa H 407 

Voung, Dr. Henry 552 




im:,^^^^;^^ 



4^ 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY 



OF 



Celebrated Americans 



•^^■^Z^"^^"^^ 




fit 






G 




|EORGE WASHINGTON, 
I the first president of the Unit- 
I ed States, called the "Father 
■^ipn\<»\i»»«»\innv? of his Country," was one of 
the most celebrated characters 
in history. He was born Feb- 
ruary 22, 1732, in Washing- 
ton Parish, Westmoreland county, Virginia. 
His father, Augustine Washington, first 
married Jane Butler, who bore him four 
chHdren, and March -, 1730. he .married 
Mary Ball. Of six children by his second 
marriage, George was the eldest. 

Little is known of the early years of 
Washington, beyond the fact that the house 
in which he was born was burned during his 
early childhood, and that his father there- 
npun moved to another farm, inherited from 
his paternal ancestors, situated in Stafford 
county, on the north bank of the Rappahan- 
nock, and died there in 1743. From earliest 
childhood George developed a noble charac- 
ter. His education was somewhat defective, 
being confined to the elementary branches 
taught him by his mother and at a neighbor- 
ing school. On leaving school he resided 
some time at Mount Vernon with his half 



brother, Lawrence, who acted as his guar 
dian. George's ii.:Iinations were for a sea- 
faring career, and a midshipman'^ warrant 
was procured for him; but through the oppo- 
sition of his mother the project was aban- 
doned, and at the age of si.xteen he was 
appointed surveyor to the immense estates 
of the eccentric Lord Fairfax. Three years 
were passed by Washington in a rough fron- 
tier life, gaining experience which afterwards 
proved very esse'itial to him In 175 1, 
when the Virginia militia were put under 
training with a view to active service against 
France, Washington, though only nineteen 
years of age, was appointed adjutant, with 
the rank of major. In 1752 Lawrence 
Washington died, leaving his large property 
to an infant daughter. In his will George 
was named one of the executors and as an 
eventual heir to Mount Vernon, and by the 
death of the infant niece, soon succeeded to 
that estate. In 1753 George was commis- 
sioned adjutant-general of the Virginia 
militia, and performed important work at 
the outbreak of the French and Indian 
war, was rapidly promoted, and at the close of 
that war we find him commander-in-chieJ of 



Ooprrtsht 189:. V-7 C.-0. A. O5I* k Co. 



18 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 



all the forces raised in Virginia. A cessation 
of Indian hostilities on the frontier having 
followed the expulsion of the French from 
the Ohio, he resigned his commission as 
crmmander-in-chief of the Virginia forces, 
and then proceeded to Williamsburg to take 
his seat in the Virginia Assembly, of which 
he had been elected a member. 

January 17, 1/59, Washington marred 
Mrs. Martha (Dandridge) Curtis, a young 
and beautiful widow of great wealth, and 
devoted himself for the ensuing fifteen years 
to the quiet pursuits of agriculture, inter- 
rupted only by the annual attendance in 
winter upon the colonial legislature at 
Williamsburg, until summoned by his coun- 
try to enter upon that other arena in which 
his fame was to become world-wide. The 
war for independence called Washington 
into service again, and he was made com- 
mander-in-chief of the colonial forces, and 
was the most gallant and conspicuous figure 
in that bloody struggle, serving until Eng- 
land acknowledged the independence of 
each of the thirteen States, and negotiated 
with them jointly, as separate sovereignties. 
December 4, 1783, the great commander 
took leave of his officers in most affection- 
ate and patriotic terms, and went to An- 
napolis, Maryland, where the congress of 
the States was in session, and to that body, 
when peace and order prevailed everyw'here, 
resigned his commission and retired to 
Mount Vernon. 

It was in 1789 that Washington was 
called to the chief magistracy of the na- 
tion. The inauguration took place April 
30, in the presence of an immense multi- 
tude which had assembled to witness the new 
and imposing ceremony. In the manifold de- 
tails of his ci\il administration Washington 
proved himself fully equal to the requirements 
of his position. In 1792, at the second presi- 



dential election, Washington was desirous 
to retire; but he yielded to the general wish 
of the country, and was again chosen presi- 
dent. At the third election, in 1796, he 
was again most urgently entreated to con- 
sent to remain in the executive chair. This 
he positively refused, and after March 4, 
1797, he again retired to Mount Vernon 
for peace, quiet, and repose. 

Of the call again made on this illustrious 
chief to. quit his repose at Mount Ver- 
non and take command of all the United 
States forces, w^ith rank of lieutenant-gen- 
eral, when war was threatened with France 
in 1798, nothing need here be stated, ex- 
cept to note the fact as an unmistakable 
testimonial of the high regard in which he 
was still held by his countrymen of all 
shades of political opinion. He patriotic- 
ally accepted this trust, but a treaty of 
peace put a stop to all action under it. He 
again retired to Mount Vernon, where he 
died December 14, 1799, in the sixty-eighth 
year of his age. His remains were depos- 
ited in a family vault on the banks of the 
Potomac, at Mount Vernon, where they still 
lie entombed. 

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, an eminent 
American statesman and scientist, was 
born of poor parentage, January 17, 1706, 
in Boston, Massachusetts. He was appren- 
ticed ti) his brother James to learn the print- 
er's trade to prevent his running away and 
going to sea, and also because of the numer- 
ous family his parents had to support (there 
being seventeen children, Benjamin being 
the fifteenth). He was a great reader, and 
soon developed a taste for writing, and pre- 
pared a number of articles and had them 
published in the paper without his brother's 
knowledge, and when the authorship be- 
came known it resulted in difficuky for the 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 



10 



young apprentice, although his articles had 
been received with favor by the public. 
James was afterwards thrown into prison for 
political reasons, and young Benjamin con- 
ducted the paper alone during the time. In 
1823, however, he determined to endure his 
bonds no longer, and ran away, going to 
Philadelphia, where he arrived with only 
three pence as his store of wealth. With 
these he purchased three rolls, and ate them 
as he walked along the streets. He soon 
found employment as a journej'man printer. 
Two years later he was sent to England by 
the governor of Pennsylvania, and was 
promised the public printing, but did not get 
it. On his return to Philadelphia he estab- 
lished the "Pennsylvania Gazette," and 
soon found himself a person of great popu- 
larity in the province, his ability as a writer, 
philosopher, and politician having reached 
the neighboring colonies. He rapidly grew 
in prominence, founded the Philadelphia Li- 
brary in 1842, and two years later the 
American Philosophical Society and the 
University of Pennsylvania. He was made 
Fellow of the Royal Society in London in 
1775. His world-famous investigations in 
electricity and lightning began in 1746. He 
became postmaster-general of the colonies 
in 1753, having devised an inter-colonial 
postal system. He advocated the rights of 
the colonies at all times, and procured the 
repeal of the Stamp Act in 1766. He was 
elected to the Continental congress of 1775, 
and in 1776 was a signer of the Declaration 
of Independence, being one (;f the commit- 
tee appointed to draft that paper. He rep- 
resented the new nation in the courts of 
Europe, especially at Paris, where his simple 
dignity and homely wisdom won him the 
admiration of the court and the favor of the 
people. He was governor of Pennsylvania 
tour vears; was also a member of the con- 



vention in 1787 that drafted the constitution 
of the United States. 

His writings upon political topics, anti- 
slavery, finance, and economics, stamp him 
as one of the greatest statesmen of his time, 
while his "Autobiography" and "Poor 
Richard's Almanac" give him precedence in 
the literary field. In early life he was an 
avowed skeptic in religious matters, but 
later in life his utterances on this subject 
were less extreme, though he never ex- 
pressed approval of any sect or creed. He 
died in Philadelphia April 17, 1790. 



DANIEL WEBSTER.— Of world wide 
reputation for statesmanship, diplo- 
macy, and oratory, there is perhaps no more 
prominent figure in the history of our coun- 
try in the interval between 181 5 and 1861, 
than Daniel Webster. He was born at 
Salisbury (now Franklin), New Hampshire, 
January 18. 1782, and was the second son 
of Ebenezer and Abigail (Eastman) Webster. 
He enjoyed but limited educational advan- 
tages in childhood, but spent a few months 
in 1797, at Phillip Exeter Academy. He 
completed his preparation for college in the 
family of Rev. Samuel Wood, at Boscawen, 
and entered Dartmouth College in the fall 
of 1797- He supported himself most of the 
time during these years by teaching school 
and graduated in i8oi, having the credit of 
being the foremost scholar of his class. He 
entered the law office of Hon. Thomas W. 
Thompson, at Salisbury. In 1802 he con- 
tinued his legal studies at Fryeburg, Maine, 
where he was principal of the academy and 
copyist in the office of the register of 
deeds. In the office of Christopher Gore, 
at Boston, he completed his studies in 
1804-5, and was admitted to the bar in the 
latter year, and at Boscawen and at Ports- 
mouth soon rose to eminence in his profes- 



20 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 



sion. He became known as a federalist 
but did not court political honors; but, at- 
tracting attention by his eloquence in oppos- 
ing the war with England, he was elected 
to congress in 1812. During the special 
session of May, 18 13, he was appointed on 
the committee on foreign affairs and made 
his maiden speech June 10, 181 3. Through- 
cut this session (as afterwards) he showed 
his mastery of the great economic questions 
of the day. He was re-elected in 1814. In 
1 8 16 he removed to Boston and for seven 
years devoted himself to his profession, 
larning by his arguments in the celebrated 
"Dartmouth College Case" rank among 
the most distinguished jurists of the country. 
In 1820 Mr. Webster was chosen a member 
of the state convention of Massachusetts, to 
revise the constitution. The same year he 
delivered the famous discourse on the " PUr 
grim fathers," which laid the foundation for 
his fame as an orator. Declining a nomi- 
nation for United States senator, in 1822 he 
was elected to the lower house of congress 
and was re-elected in 1S24 and 1826, but in 
1827 was transferred to the senate. He 
retained his seat in the latter chamber until 
1 841. During this time his voice was ever 
lifted in defence of the national life and 
honor and although politically opposed to 
him he gave his support to the administra- 
tion of President Jackson in the latter's con- 
test with nullification. Through all these 
?ears he was ever found upon the side of 
v'ight and justice and his speeches upon all 
ihe great questions of the day have be- 
•ome household words in almost every 
tamily. In 1841 Mr. Webster was appointed 
secretary of state by President Harrison 
and was continued in the same office by 
President Tyler. While an incumbent of 
this office he showed consummate ability as 
a diplomat in the negotiation of the "Ash- 



burton treaty " of August 9, 1849, which 
settled many points of dispute between the 
United States and England. In May, 1843, 
he resigned his post and resumed his pro- 
fession, and in December, 1845, took his 
place again in the senate. He contributed 
in an unofficial way to the solution of the 
Oregon question with Great Britain in 1847. 
He was disappointed in 1S48 in not receiv- 
ing the nomination for the presidency. He 
became secretary of state under President 
Fillmore in 1850 and in dealing with all the 
complicated questions of the day showed a 
wonderful mastery of the arts of diplomacy. 
Being hurt in an accident he retired to his 
home at Marshfield, where he died Octo-- 
ber 24, 1852. 

HORACE GREELEY. —As journalist, 
author, statesman and political leader, 
there is none more widely known than the 
man whose name heads this article. He 
was born in Amherst, New Hampshire, Feb- 
ruary 3, 181 1, and was reared upon a farm. 
At an early age he evinced a remarkable 
intelligence and love of learning, and at 
the age of ten had read every book he could 
borrow for miles around. About 1821 the 
family removed to Westhaven, Vermont, 
and for some years young Greeley assisted 
in carrying on the farm. In 1826 he entered 
the office of a weekly newspaper at East 
Poultney, Vermont, where he remained 
about four years. On the discontinuance 
of this paper he followed his father's 
family to Erie county, Pennsylvania, 
whither they had moved, and for a time 
worked at the printer's trade in that neigh- 
borhood. In 1 83 1 Horace went to New 
York City, and for a time found employ- 
ment as journeyman printer. January, 
1833, in partnership with Francis Story, he 
published the Morning Post; the first penny 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPJIY. 



21 



paper ever printed. This proved a failure 
and was discontinued after three weeks. 
The business of job printing was carried on, 
however, until the death of Mr. Story in 
July following. In company with Jonas 
Winchester, March 22, 1834, Mr. Greeley 
commenced the publication of the Nciv 
Yorker, a weekly paper of a high character. 
For financial reasons, at the same time, 
Greeley wrote leaders for other papers, and, 
in 1838, took editorial charge of the Jeffcr- 
sonian, a Whig paper published at Albany. 
In 1840, on the discontinuance of that sheet, 
he devoted his energies to the Log Cabin, a 
campaign paper in the interests of the Whig 
party. In the fall of 1841 the latter paper 
was consolidated with the AVw Yorker, un- 
der the name of the Tribune, the first num- 
ber of which was issued April 10, 184 1. At 
the head of this paper Mr. Greeley remained 
until the day of his death. 

In 1848 Horace Greeley was elected to 
the national house of representatives to 
fill a vacancy, and was a member of that 
body until March 4, 1S49. In 1851 hewent 
to Europe and served as a juror at the 
World's Fair at the Crystal Palace, Lon- 
don. In 1855, he made a second visit to 
the old world. In 1859 he crossed the 
plains and received a public reception at 
San Francisco and Sacramento. He was a 
member of the Republican national con- 
vention, at Chicago in i860, and assisted in 
the nomination of Abraham Lincoln for 
President. The same year he was a presi- 
dential elector for the state of New York, 
and a delegate to the Loyalist convention 
at Philadelphia. 

At the close of the war, in 1865, Mr. 
Greeley became a strong advocate of uni- 
versal amnesty and complete pacification, 
and in pursuance of this consented to be- 
come one of the bondsmen for Jefiferson 



Davis, who was imprisoned for treason. In 
1867 he was a delegate to the New York 
state convention for the revision of the 
constitution. In 1870 he was defeated for 
congress in the Sixth New York district. 
At the Liberal convention, which met in 
Cincinnati, in May, 1872, on the fifth ballot 
Horace Greeley was nominated for presi- 
dent and July following was nominated for 
the same olSce by the Democratic conven- 
tion at Baltimore. He was defeated by a 
large majority. The large amount of work 
done by him during the campaign, together 
with the loss of his wife about the same 
time, undermined his strong constitution, 
and he was seized with inflammation of the 
brain, and died November 29, 1872. 

In addition to his journalistic work, Mr. 
Greeley was the author of several meritori- 
ous works, among which were: "Hints 
toward reform," "Glances at Europe," 
"History of the struggle for slavery exten 
sion," "Overland journey to San Francis- 
co," "The American conflict," and " Rec- 
ollections of a busy life." 



HENRY CLAY.— In writing of this em- 
inent American, Horace Greeley once 
said: "He was a matchless party chief, an 
admirable orator, a skillful legislator, wield- 
ing unequaled influence, not only over his 
friends, but even over those of his political 
antagonists who were subjected to the magic 
of his conversation and manners. " A law- 
yer, legislator, orator, and statesman, few 
men in history have wielded greater influ- 
ence, or occupied so prominent a place in 
the hearts of the generation in which they 
lived. 

Henry Clay was born near Richmond, 
in Hanover county, Virginia, April 12, 
1777, the son of a poor Baptist preacher 
who died when Henry was but five years 



22 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 



old. The mother married again about ten 
years later and removed to Kentucky leav- 
ing Henry a clerk in a store at Richmond. 
Soon afterward Henry Cla}' secured a posi- 
tion as copyist in the office of the clerk of the 
high court of chancery, and four years later 
entered the law office of Robert Brooke, 
then attorney general and later governor of 
his native state. In 1797 Henry Clay was 
licensed as a lawyer and followed his mother 
to Kentuck}', opening an office at Lexington 
and soon built up a profitable practice. 
Soon afterward Kentucky, in separating from 
Virginia, called a state convention for the 
purpose of framing a constitution, and Clay 
at that time took a prominent part, publicly 
urging the adoption of a clause providing 
for the abolition of slavery, but in this he 
was overruled, as he was fifty years later, 
when in the height of his fame he again ad- 
vised the same course when the state con- 
stitution was revised in 1850. Young Clay 
took a very active and conspicuous part in 
the presidential campaign in 1800, favoring 
the election of Jefferson; and in 1803 was 
chosen to represent Fa3'ette county in the 
state 'egislature. In 1S06 General John 
Adair, then United States senator from 
Kentucky, resigned and Henry Clay was 
elected to fill the vacancj' by the legislature 
and served through one session in which he 
at once assumed a prominent place. In 
1807 he was again a representative in the 
legislature and was elected speaker of the 
house. At this time originated his trouble 
with Humphrey Marshall. Clay proposed 
that each member clothe himself and family 
wholly in American fabrics, which Marshall 
characterized as the " language of a dema- 
gogue. " This led to a duel in which both 
parties were slightly injured. In 1809 
Henry Clay was again elected to fill a va- 
cancy in the United States senate, and two 



years later elected representative in the low- 
er house of congress, being chosen speaker 
of the house. About this time warwas de- 
clared against Great Britain, and Clay took 
a prominent public place during this strug- 
gle and was later one of the commissioners 
sent to Europe by President Madison to ne- 
gotiate peace, returning in September, 181 5. 
having been re-elected speaker of the 
house during his absence, and was re-elect- 
ed unanimously. He was afterward re- 
elected to congress and then became secre- 
tary of state under John Quincy Adams. 
In 1 83 1 he was again elected senator from 
Kentucky and remained in the senate most 
of the time until his death. 

Henry Clay was three times a candidate 
for the presidency, and once very nearly - 
elected. He was the unanimous choice of 
the Whig party in 1 844 for the presidency, 
and a great effort was made to elect him 
but without success, his opponent, James K. 
Polk, carrying both Pennsylvania and New 
York by a very slender margin, while either 
of them alone would have elected Clay. 
Henry Clay died at Washington Juoe 29, 
1852. 

JAMES GILLESPIE BLAINE was one 
of the most distinguished of American 
statesmen and legislators. He was born 
January 31, 1830, in Washington county, 
Pennsylvania, and received a thorough edu- 
cation, graduating at Washington College in 
rS47. In early life he removed to Maine 
and engaged in newspaper work, becoming 
editor of the Portland ' 'Advertiser. " While 
yet a young man he gained distinction as a 
debater and became a conspicuous figure in 
political and public affairs. In 1862 he was 
elected to congress on the Republican ticket 
in Maine and was re-elected five times. In 
March, 1869, he was chosen speaker of the 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 



23 



house of representatives and was re-elected 
in 1871 and again in 1 873. In 1 876 he was 
a representative in the lower house of con- 
gress and during that year was appointed 
United States senator by the Governor to 
fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of 
Senator Morrill, who had been appointed 
secretary . of the treasury. Mr. Blaine 
served in the senate until March 5, 1881, 
when President Garfield appointed him sec- 
retary of state, which position he resigned 
in December, 1881. Mr. Blaine was nom- 
inated for the presidency by the Republic- 
ans, at Chicago in June, 18S4, but was de- 
feated by Grover Cleveland after an exciting 
and spirited campaign. During the later 
years of his life Mr. Blaine devoted most of 
his time to the completion of his work 
"Twenty Years in Congress," which had a 
remarkably large sale throughout th& United 
States. Blaine was a man of great mental 
ability and force of character and during the 
latter part of his life was one of the most 
noted men of his time. He was the origina- 
tor of what is termed the " reciprocity idea" 
in tariff matters, and outlined the plan of 
carrying it into practical effect. In 1876 
Robert G. Ingersoll in making a nominating 
speech placing Blaine's name as a candidate 
for president before the national Republican 
convention at Cincinnati, referred to Blaine 
as the " Plumed Knight" and this title clung 
to him during the remainder of his life. His 
death occurred at Washington, January 27, 
1893- 

JOHN CALDWELL CALHOUN, a dis- 
<J tinguished American statesman, was a 
native of South Carolina, born in Abbeville 
district, March 18, 1782. He was given 
the advantages of a thorough education, 
graduating at Yale College in 1804, and 
adopted the calling of a lawyer. A Demo- 



crat politically, at that time, he took a fore- 
most part in the councils of his party and 
was elected to congress in 181 1, supporting 
the tariff of 1816 and the establishing of 
the United States Bank. In 18 17 he be- 
came secretary of war in President Monroe's 
cabinet, and in 1 824 was elected vice-president 
of the United States, on the ticket with John 
Quincy Adams, and re-elected in 1828, on the 
ticket with General Jackson. Shortly after" 
this Mr. Calhoun became one of the strongest 
advocates of free trade and the principle of 
sovereignty of the states and was one of 
the originators of the doctrine that "any 
state could nullify unconstitutional laws of 
congress." Meanwhile Calhoun had be- 
come an aspirant for the presidency, and 
the fact that General Jackson advanced the 
interests of his opponent. Van Buren, led 
to a quarrel, and Calhoun resigned the vice- 
presidency in 1832 and was elected United 
States senator from South Carolina. It was 
during the same year that a convention was 
held in South Carolina at which the " Nul- 
lification ordinance " was adopted, the ob- 
ject of which was to test the constitution- 
ality of the protective tariff measures, and 
to prevent if possible the collection of im- 
port duties in that state which had been 
levied more for the purpose of ' ' protection " 
than revenue. This ordinance was to go 
into effect in February, 1833, and created a 
great deal of uneasiness throughout the 
country as it was feared there would be a 
clash between the state and federal authori- 
ties. It was in this serious condition oi 
public affairs that Henry Clay came forward 
with the the famous ''tariff compromise" 
of 1833, to which measure Calhoun and 
most of his followers gave their support and 
the crisis was averted. In 1843 Mr. Cal- 
houn was appointed secretary of state in 
President Tyler's cabinet, and it was under 



24 



COMPENDIU^f OF BIOGRAPHT. 



his administration that the treaty concern- 
ing the annexation of Texas was negotiated. 
In 1845 he was re-elected to the United 
States senate and continued in the senate 
until his death, which occurred in March, 
T 850. He occupied a high rank as a scholar, 
student and orator, and it is conceded that 
he was one of the greatest debaters America 
has produced. The famous debate between 
Calhoun and Webster, in 1833, is regarded 
as the most noted for ability and eloquence 
in the history of the country. 



BENJAMIN FRANKLIN BUTLER, one 
of America's most brilliant and pro- 
found lawyers and noted public men, was 
a native of New England, born at Deer- 
field, New Hampshire, November 5, 1818. 
His father. Captain John Butler, was a 
prominent man in his day, commanded a 
company during the war of 1812, and 
served under Jackson at New Orleans. 
Benjamin F. Butler was given an excellent 
education, graduated at Waterville College, 
Maine, studied law, was admitted to the 
bar in 1840, at Lowell, Massachusetts, 
where he commenced the practice of his 
profession and gained a wide reputation for 
his ability at the bar, acquiring an extensive 
practice and a fortune. Early in life he 
began taking an active interest in military 
affairs and served in the state militia through 
all grades from private to brigadier-general. 
In 1853 he was elected to the state legisla- 
ture on the Democratic ticket in Lowell, 
and took a prominent part in the passage of 
legislation in the interests of labor. Dur- 
ing the same year he was a member of the 
constitutional convention, and in 1859 rep- 
resented his district in the Massachusetts 
senate. When the Civil war broke out 
General Butler took the field and remained 
at the front most of the time during that 



bloody struggle. Part of the time he had 
charge of Fortress Monroe, and in Febru- 
ary, 1862, took command of troops forming 
part of the expedition against New Orleans, 
and later had charge of the department of 
the Gulf. He was a conspicuous figure dur- 
ing the continuance of the war. After the 
close of hostilities General Butler resumed 
his law practice in Massachusetts and in 
1866 was elected to congress from the Es- 
sex district. In 1882 he was elected gov- 
ernor of Massachusetts, and in 1884 was the 
nominee of the " Greenback" party for 
president of the United States. He con- 
tinued his legal practice, and maintained his 
place as one of the most prominent men in 
New England until the time of his death, 
which occurred January 10, 1893. 



JEFFERSON DAVIS, an officer, states- 
man and legislator of prominence in 
America, gained the greater part of his fame 
from the fact that he was president of the 
southern confederacy. Mr. Davis was born 
in Christian county, Kentucky, June 3, 
1808, and his early education and surround- 
ings were such that his sympathies and in- 
clinations were wholly with the southern 
people. He received a thorough education, 
graduated at West Point in 1828. and for a 
number of years served in the army at west- 
ern posts and in frontier service, first as 
lieutenant and later as adjutant. In 1835 
he resigned and became a cotton planter in 
Warren county, Mississippi, where he took 
an active interest in public affairs and be- 
came a conspicuous figure in politics. In 
1844 he was a presidential elector from 
Mississippi and during the two following 
years served as congressman from his d-s- 
trict. He then became colonel ot a Missis- 
sippi regiment in the war with Mexico ana 
participated in some of the most severe cat- 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPlir. 



25 



ties, being seriously wounded at Buena 
Vista. Upon his return to private life he 
again took a prominent part in political af- 
fairs and represented his state in the United 
States senate from 1847 to 1851. Hethen 
entered President Pierce's cabinet as secre- 
tary of war, after which he ajijain entered 
the United States senate, remaining until 
the outbreak of the Civil war. He then be- 
came president of the southern confederacy 
and served as such until captured in May, 
1865, at Irwinville. Georgia. He was held 
as prisoner of war at Fortress Monroe, until 
1867, when he was released on bail and 
finally set free in 1868. His death occurred 
December 6, 1889. 

Jefferson Davis was a man of e.xcellent 
abilities and was recognized as one of the 
best organizers of his day. He was a 
forceful and fluent speaker and a ready 
writer. He wrote and published the " Rise 
and Fall of the Southern Confederacy," a 
work which is considered as authority by 
the southern people 



JOHN ADAMS, the second president of 
the United States, and one of the most 
conspicuous figures in the early struggles of 
his country for independence, was born in 
the present town of Quincy, then a portion 
of Braintree, Massachusetts, October 30, 
1735- He received a thorough education, 
graduating at Harvard College in 1755, 
studied law and was admitted to the bar in 
1758. He was well adapted for this profes- 
sion and after opening an office in his native 
town rapidly grew in prominence and public 
favor and soon was regarded as one of the 
leading lawyers of the country. His atten- 
tion was called to political affairs by the 
passage of the Stamp Act, in 1765, and he 
drew up a set of resolutions on the subject 
which were very popular. In 1768 he re- 



moved to Boston and became one of the 
most courageous and prominent advocates 
of the popular cause and was chosen a 
member of the Colonial legislature from 
Boston. He was one of the delegates that 
represented Massachusetts in the first Con- 
tinental congress, which met in September, 
1774. In a letter written at this crisis he 
uttered the famous words: "The die is now 
cast; I have passed the Rubicon. Sink or 
swim, live or die, survive or perish with my 
country, is my unalterable determination." 
He was a prominent figure in congress and 
advocated the movement for independence 
when a majority of the members were in- 
clined to temporize and to petition the King. 
In May, 1776, he presented a resolution in 
congress that the colonies should assume 
the duty of self-government, which was 
passed. In June, of the same year, a reso- 
lution that the United States "are, and oi 
right ought to be, free and independent," 
was moved by Richard H. Lee, seconded by 
Mr. Adams and adopted by a small majority. 
Mr. Adams was a member of the committee 
of five appointed June 1 1 to prepare a 
declaration of independence, in support of 
which he made an eloquent speech. He was 
chairman of the Board of War in 1776 and 
in 1778 was sent as commissioner to France, 
but returned the following year. In 1780 
he went to Europe, having been appointed 
as minister to negotiate a treaty of peace 
and commerce with Great Britain. Con- 
jointly with Franklin and Jay he negotiated 
a treaty in 1782. He was employed as a 
minister to the Court of St. James -from 
1785 to 178S, and during that period wrote 
his famous "Defence of the American Con- 
stitutions." In 1789 he became vice-presi- 
dent of the United States and was re-elected 
in 1792. 

In 1 796 Mr. Adams was chosen presi- 



26 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 



dent of the United States, his competitor 
being Thomas Jefferson, who became vice- 
president. In 1800 he was the Federal 
candidate for president, but he was not 
cordial!}' supported by Gen. Hamilton, the 
favorite leader of his party, and was de- 
feated by Thomas Jefferson. 

Mr. Adams then retired from public life 
to his large estate at Quincy, Mass., where 
he died July 4, 1826, on the same day that 
witnessed the death of Thomas Jefferson. 
Though his ph3'sical frame began to give way 
many years before his death, his mental 
powers retained their strength and vigor to 
the last. In his ninetieth year he was glad- 
dened b}' .the elevation of his son, John 
Quincy Adams, to the presidential office. 



HENRY WARD BEECHER, one of the 
most celebrated American preachers 
and authors, was born at Litchfield, Connec- 
ticut, June 24, 1 8 1 3. His father was Dr. Ly- 
man Beecher, also an eminent divine. At 
an early age Henry Ward Beecher had a 
strong predilection for a sea-faring life, and 
it was practically decided that he would fol- 
low this inclination, but about this time, in 
consequence of deep religious impressions 
which he experienced during a revival, he 
renounced his former intention and decided 
to enter the ministry. After having grad- 
uated at Amherst College, in 1834, he stud- 
ied theology at Lane Seminary under the 
tuition of his father, w^ho was then president 
of that institution. In 1847 he became pas- 
tor of the Plymouth Congregational church 
in Brooklyn, where his oratorical ability and 
original eloquence attracted one of the larg- 
est congregations in the country. He con- 
tinued to served this church until the time 
of his death. March 8, 1887. Mr. Beecher 
also found time for a great amount of liter- 
ary worL For a number of years he was 



editor of the "Independent" and also the 
"Christian Union." He also produced many 
works which are widely known. Among his 
principal productions are ' 'Lectures to Young 
Men," " Star Papers, " "Life of Christ," 
"Life Thoughts," "Royal Truths" (a 
novel), "Norwood," " Evolution and Rev- 
olution," and " Sermons on Evolution and 
Religion. " Mr. Beecher was also long a 
prominent advocate of anti-slavery princi- 
ples and temperance reform, and, at a later 
period, of the rights of women. 



JOHN A. LOGAN, the illustrious states- 
man and general, was born in Jackson 
county, Illinois, February 9, 1824. In his 
boyhood days he received but a limited edu- 
cation in the schools of his native county. 
On the breaking out of the war with Mexico 
he enlisted in the First Illinois Volunteers 
and became its quartermaster. At the close 
of hostilities he returned home and was 
elected clerk of the courts of Jackson county 
in 1849. Determining to supplement his 
education Logan entered the Louisville Uni- 
versity, from which he graduated in 1852 
and taking up the study of law was admitted 
to the bar. He attained popularity and suc- 
cess in his chosen profession and was elected 
to the legislature in 1852. 1853, 1856 and 
1857. He was prosecuting attorney from 
1853 to 1857. He was elected to congress 
in 1858 to till a vacancj' and again in i860. 
At the outbreak of the Rebellion, Logan re- 
signed his office and entered the army, and 
in September, 1861, was appointed colonel 
of the Thirty-first Illinois Infantry, which he 
led in the battles of Belmont and Fort Don- 
elson. In the latter engagement he was 
wounded. In March, 1862, he was pro- 
moted to be brigadier-general and in the 
following month participated in the battles 
of P-ttsburg Landing. In November, 1862, 



COMPENDIUM OF BIO GRAPH?: 



20 



f M- gallant conduct he was made major-gen- 
e il. Thrciii^'hout the Vicksburg campaign 
he was in coinmai^.d of a division of the Sev- 
enth enth Corps and was distinguished at 
I ort Gibson, Champion Kills and in the 
si gc atid capture cf Vicksburg. In October, 
1863, he was placed in command of the 
Filteenth Corps, which he led with great 
credit. During the terrible conflict before 
Atlanta, July 22, 1864, on the death of 
General McPherson, Logan, assuming com- 
mand of the Army of the. Tennessee, led it 
on to victory, saving the day by his energy 
and ability. He was shortly after succeeded 
by General O. O. Howard and returned to 
the command of his corps. He remained 
in command until the presidential election, 
when, feeling that his influence was needed 
at home he returned thither and there re- 
mained until the arrival of Sherman at Sa- 
vannah, when General Logan rejoined his 
command." In May, 1865, he succeeded 
General Howard at the head of the Army of 
the Tennessee. He resigned from the army 
in August, the same year, and in November 
was appointed minister to Mexico, but de- 
clined the honor. He served in the lower 
house of the fortieth and forty-first con- 
gresses, and was elected United States sena- 
tor from his native state in 1870, 1S78 and 
1885. He was nominated for the vice-presi- 
dency in 1884 on the ticket with Blaine, but 
was defeated. General Logan was the 
author of "The Great Conspiracy, its origin 
and history," published in 1885. He died 
at Washington, December 26, 1886. 



JOHN CHARLES FREMONT, the first 
Republican candidate for president, was 
born in Savannah, Georgia, January 21, 
18 1 3. He graduated from Charleston Col- 
kge (South Carolina) in 1830, and turned his 

attention to civil engineering. He was shortly 
s 



afterward employed in the department of 
government surveys on the Mississippi, and 
constructing maps of that region. He waj 
made lieutenant of engineers, and laid be- 
fore the war department a plan for p ne- 
trating the Rocky Mountain regions, which 
was accepted, and in 1842 he set out upon 
his first famous exploring expedition and ex- 
plored the South Pass. He also planned an 
expedition to Oregon by a new route further 
south, but afterward joined his expedition 
with that of Wilkes in the region of the 
Great Salt Lake. He made a later expedi- 
tion which penetrated the Sierra Nevadas, 
and the San Joaquin and Sacramento river 
valleys, making maps of all regions explored. 
In 1845 he conducted the great expedi- 
tion which resulted in the acquisition of 
California, which it was believed the Mexi- 
can government was about to dispose of to 
England. Learning that the Mexican gov- 
ernor was preparing to attack the American 
settlements in his dominion, Fremont deter- 
mined to forestall him. The settlers rallied 
to his camp, and in June, 1846, he defeated 
the Mexican forces at Sonoma Pass, and a 
month later completely routed the governor 
and his entire army. The Americans at 
once declared their independence of Mexico, 
and Fremont was elected governor of Cali- 
fornia. By this time Commodore Stockton 
had reached the coast with instructions from 
Washington to conquer California. Fre- 
mont at once joined him in that effort, which 
resulted in the annexation of California with 
its untold mineral wealth. Later Fremont 
became involved in a difficulty with fellow 
officers which resulted in a court martial, 
and the surrender of his commission. He 
declined to accept reinstatement. He af- 
terward laid out a great road from the Mis- 
sissippi river to San Francisco, and became 
the first United States senator from Califor- 



30 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 



nia, in 1849. In 1856 he was nominated 
by the new Republican party as its first can- 
didate for president against Buchanan, and 
received 114 electoral votes, out of 296. 

In 1 86 1 he was made major-general and 
placed in charge of the western department. 
He planned the reclaiming of the entire 
Mississippi valley, and gathered an army of 
thirty thousand men, with plenty of artil- 
ler}', and was ready to move upon the con- 
federate General Price, when he was de- 
prived of his command. He was nominated 
for the presidency at Cincinnati in 1864, but 
withdrew. He was governor of Arizona in 
1878, holding the position four years. He 
was interested in an engineering enterprise 
looking toward a great southern trans-con- 
tinental railroad, and in his later years also 
practiced law in New York. He died July 1 3, 
1890. 

WENDELL PHILLIPS, the orator and 
abolitionist, and a conspicuous figure 
in American history, was born November 
29, 181 1, at Boston, Massachusetts. He 
received a good education at Harvard 
College, from which he graduated in 1831, 
and then entered the Cambridge Law School. 
After completing his course in that institu- 
tion, in 1833, he was admitted to the bar, 
in 1834, at Suffolk. He entered the arena 
of life at the time when the forces of lib- 
erty and slavery had already begun their 
struggle that was to culminate in the Civil 
war. William Lloyd Garrison, by his clear- 
headed, courageous declarations of the anti- 
slavery principles, had done much to bring 
about this struggle. Mr. Phillips was not a 
man that could stand aside and see a great 
struggle being carried on in the interest of 
humanity and look passively on. He first 
attracted attention as an orator in 1837, at 
a meeting that was called to protest against 



the murder of the Rev. Elijah P. Lovejoy. 
The meeting would have ended in a few 
perfunctory resolutions had not Mr. Phillip? 
by his manly eloquence taken the meeting 
out of the hands of the few that were in- 
clined to temporize and avoid radical utter- 
ances. Having once started out in this ca- 
reer as an abolitionist Phillips never swerved 
from what he deemed his duty, and never 
turned back. He gave up his legal practice 
and launched himself heart and soul in the 
movement for the liberation of the slaves. 
He was an orator of very great ability and 
by his earnest efforts and eloquence he did 
much in arousing public sentiment in behalf 
of the anti-slavery cause — possibly more 
than any one man of his time. After the 
abolition of slavery Mr. Phillips was, if pos- 
sible, even busier than before m the literary 
and lecture field. Besides temperance and 
women's rights, he lectured often and wrote 
much on finance, and the relations of labor, 
and capital, and his utterances on whatever 
subject always bore the stamp of having 
emanated from a master mind. Eminent 
critics have stated that it might fairly be 
questioned whether there has ever spoken 
in America an orator superior to Phillips. 
The death of this great man occurred Feb- 
ruary 4, 1884. 



WILLIAM TECUMSEH SHERMAN 
was one of the greatest generals that 
the world has ever produced and won im- 
mortal fame by that strategic and famous 
" march to the sea," in the war of the Re- 
bellion. He was born February 8, 1820, at 
Lancaster, Ohio, and was reared in the 
family of the Hon. Thomas Ewing, as his 
father died when he was but nine years of 
age. He entered West Point in 1836, was 
graduated from the same in 1840, and ap- 
pointed a second lieutenant in the Third 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 



31 



Artillery. He passed through the various 
prides of the service and at the outbreak of 
X.\\K Civil war was appointed colonel of the 
Thirtcm'.h Regular Infantry. A full history 
of General Sherman's conspicuous services 
would be to repeat a history of the army. 
He commanded a division at Shiloh, and 
was instrumental in the winning of that bat- 
tle, and was also present at the siege of Vicks- 
burg. On July 4, 1863, he was appointed 
brigadier-general of the regular army, and 
shared with Hooker the victory of Mission- 
ary Ridge. He was commander of the De- 
partment of the Tennessee from October 
27th until the appointment of General 
Grant as lieutenant-general, by whom he 
was appointed to the command of the De- 
partment of the Mississippi, which he as- 
sumed in March, 1864. He at once began 
organizing the army and enlarging his com- 
munications preparatory to his march upon 
Atlanta, which he started the same time of 
ihe beginning of the Richmond campaign by 
Grant. He started on May 6, and was op- 
posed by Johnston, who had fifty thousand 
men, but by consummate generalship, he 
captured Atlanta, on September 2, after 
several months of hard fighting and a severe 
loss of men. General Sherman started on 
his famous march to the sea November 15, 
1864, and by December 10 he was before 
Savannah, which he took on December 23. 
This campaign is a monument to the genius 
of General Sherman as he only lost 567 
men from Atlanta to the sea. After rest- 
ing his army he moved northward and occu- 
pied the following places: Columbia, 
Cheraw, Fayetteville, Ayersboro, Benton- 
ville, Goldsboro, Raleigh, and April 18, he 
accepted the surrender of Johnston's army 
on a basis of agreement that was not re- 
cei\ed by the Government with favor, but 
finally accorded Johnston the same terms as 



Lee was given by General Grant. He was 
present at the grand review at Washington, 
and after the close of the war was appointed 
to the command of the military division of 
the Mississippi; later was appointed lieu- 
tenant-general, and assigned to the military 
division of the Missouri. When General 
Grant was elected president Sherman became 
general, March 4, 1869, and succeeded to 
the command of the army. His death oc- 
curred February 14, 1891, at Washington. 



ALEXANDER HAMILTON, one of the 
most prominent of the early American 
statesmen and financiers, was born in Nevis, 
an island of the West Indies, January 11, 
1757, his father being a Scotchman and his 
mother of Huguenot descent. Owing to the 
death of his mother and business reverses 
which came to his father, young Hamilton 
was sent to his mother's relatives in Santa 
Cruz; a few years later was sent to a gram- 
mar school at Elizabethtown, New Jersey, 
and in 1773 entered what is now known as 
Columbia College. Even at that time he 
began taking an active part in public affairs 
and his speeches, pamphlets, and newspaper 
articles on political affairs of the day at- 
tracted considerable attention. In 1776 he 
received a captain's commission and served 
in Washington's army with credit, becoming 
aide-de-camp to Washington with rank of 
lieutenant-colonel. In 1781 he resigned his 
commission because of a rebuke from Gen- 
eral Washington. He next received com- 
mand of a New York battalion and partici- 
pated in the battle of Yorktown. After 
this Hamilton studied law, served several 
terms in congress and was a member of the 
convention at which the Federal Constitu- 
tion was drawn up. His work connected 
with •' The Federalist " at about this time 
attracted much attention. Mr. Hamilton 



32 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 



was chosen as the first secretarj' of the 
United States treasury and as such was the 
author of the funding system and founder of 
the United States Bank. In 1798 he was 
made inspector-general of the army with the 
rank of major-general and was also for a 
short time commander-in-chief. In 1804 
Aaron Burr, then candidate for governor of 
New York, challenged Alexander Hamilton 
to fight a duel, Burr attributing his defeat 
to Hamilton's opposition, and Hamilton, 
though declaring the code as a relic of bar- 
barism, accepted the challenge. They met 
at Weehawken, New Jersey, July 11, 1804. 
Hamilton declined to fire at his adversary, 
but at Burr's first fire was fatally wounded 
and died July 12, 1804. 



ALEXANDER HAMILTON STEPH- 
ENS, vice-president of the southern 
confederacy, a former United States senator 
and governor of Georgia, ranks among the 
great men of American history. He was born 
February 11, 1812, near Crawfordsville, 
Georgia. He was a graduate of the Uni- 
versity of Georgia, and admitted to the bar 
in 1834. In 1837 he made his debut in 
political life as a member of the state house 
of representatives, and in 1 841 declined the 
nomination for the same office; but in 1S42 
he was chosen bj' the same constituency as 
s'ate senator. Mr. Stephens was one of 
the promoters of the Western and Atlantic 
Railroad. In 1843 he was sent by his dis- 
trict to the national house of representatives, 
which office he held for sixteen consec- 
utive years. He was a member of the 
house during the passing of the Compromise 
Bill, and was one of its ablest and most 
active supporters. The same year (1850J 
Mr. Stephens was a delegate to the state 
convention that framed the celebrated 
•' Georgia Platform," and was also a dele- 



gate to the convention that passed the ordi- 
nance of secession, though he bitterly op- 
posed that bill by voice and vote, yet he 
readily acquiesced in their decision after 
it received the votes of the majority of the 
convention. He was chosen vice-president 
of the confederacy without opposition, and 
in 1865 he was the head of the commis- 
sion sent by the south to the Hampton 
Roads conference. He was arrested after 
the fall of the confederacy and was con- 
fined in Fort Warren as a prisoner of state 
but was released on his own parole. Mr. 
Stephens was elected to the forty-third, 
forty-fourth, forty-fifth, forty-si.\th and for- 
ty-seventh congresses, with hardly more than 
nominal opposition. He was one of the 
Jeffersonian school of American politics. 
He wrote a number of works, principal 
among which are: "Constitutional View 
of the War between the States," and a 
" Compendium of the History of the United 
States." He was inaugurated as governor 
of Georgia November 4th, 1882, but died 
March 4, 1883, before the completion of 
his term. 

ROSCOE CONKLING was one of the 
most noted and famous of American 
statesmen. He was among the most fin- 
ished, fluent and eloquent orators that have 
ever, graced the halls of the American con- 
gress; ever ready, witty and bitter in de- 
bate he was at once admired and feared by 
his political opponents and revered by his 
followers. True to his friends, loyal to the 
last degree to those with whom his inter- 
ests were associated, he was unsparing to his 
foes and it is said "never forgot an injury." 
Roscoe Conkling was born at Albany, 
New York, on the 30th of October, 1829, 
being a son of Alfred Conkling. Alfred 
Conkling was also a native of New York, 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPH)- 



33 



born at East Hampton, October 12, 17S9, 
and became one of the most eminent law- 
yers in the Empire state; published several 
legal works; served a term in congress; aft- 
erward as United States district judge for 
Northern New York, and in 1852 was min- 
ister to Mexico. Alfred Conkling died in 

1874. 

Roscoe Conkling, whose name heads 
this article, at an early age took up the 
study of law and soon became successful and 
prominent at the bar. About 1846 he re- 
moved to Utica and in 1858 was elected 
mayor of that city. He was elected repre- 
sentative in congress from this district and 
was re-elected three times. In 1867 he was 
elected United States senator from the state 
of New York and was re-elected in 1873 
and 1879. In May, 1881, he resigned on 
account of differences with the president. 
In March, 1882, he was appointed and con- 
firmed as associate justice of the United 
States supreme court but declined to serve. 
His death occurred April 18, 1888. 



WASHINGTON IRVING, one of the 
most eminent, talented and popu- 
lar of American authors, was born in New 
York City, April 3, 1783. His father was 
William Irving, a merchant and a native of 
Scotland, who had married an English lady 
and emigrated to America some twenty 
years prior to the birth of Washington. 
Two of the older sons, William and Peter, 
were partially occupied with newspaper 
work and literary pursuits, and this fact 
naturally inclined Washington to follow 
their example. Washington Irving was given 
the advantages afforded by the common 
schools until about sixteen years of age 
when he began studying law, but continued 
to acquire his literary training by diligent 
perusal at home of the older English writers. 



When nineteen he made his first literary 
venture by printing in the ' ' Morning Chroni- 
cle," then edited by his brother, Dr. Peter 
Irving, a series of local sketches under the 
noin-dc-pliiiiic oi " Jonathan 01dst)le." In 
1804 he began an extensive trip through 
Europe, returned in 1806, quickly com- 
pleted his legal studies and was admitted to 
the bar, but never practiced the profession. 
In 1807 he began the amusing serial "Sal- 
magundi," which had an immediate suc- 
cess, and not only decided his future 
career but long determined the charac- 
ter of his writings. In 1808, assisted by 
his brother Peter, he wrote " Knickerbock- 
er's History of New York," and in 18 10 an 
excellent biography of Campbell, the poet, 
After this, for some time, Irving's attention 
was occupied by mercantile interests, but 
the commercial house in which he was a 
partner failed in 1817. In 1814 he was 
editor of the Philadelphia "Analectic Maga- 
zine." About 18 18 appeared his "Sketch- 
Book," over the nom-dc-pluine of "Geoffrey 
Crayon," which laid the foundation of Ir- 
ving's fortune and permanent fame. This 
was soon followed by the legends of 
"Sleepy Hollow," and " Rip Van Winkle," 
which at once took high rank as literary 
productions, and Irving's reputation was 
firmly established in both the old and new 
worlds. After this the path of Irving was 
smooth, and his subsequent writings ap- 
peared with rapidity, including "Brace- 
bridge Hall," "The Tales of a Traveler," 
'.' History of the Life and Voyages of Chris- 
topher Columbus," "The Conquest of 
Granada," "The Alhambra," "Tour on 
the Prairies," "Astoria," "Adventures of 
Captain Bonneville," "Wolfert's Roost," 
" Mahomet and his Successors," and "Life 
of Washington," besides other works. 

Washington Irving was never married. 



34 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 



He resided during the closing years of his 
Hfe at Sunnyside (Tarrytown) on the Hud- 
son, where he died November 28, 1859. 



CHARLES SUMNER.— Boldly outlined 
on the pages of our history stands out 
the rugged figure of Charles Sumner, states- 
man, lawyer and writer. A man of unim- 
peachable integrity, indomitable will and 
with the power of tireless toil, he was a fit 
leader in troublous times. First in rank as 
an anti-slavery leader in the halls of con- 
gress, he has stamped his image upon the 
annals of his time. As an orator he took 
front rank and, in wealth of illustration, 
rhetoric and lofty tone his eloquence equals 
anything to be found in history. 

Charles Sumner was born in Boston, 
Massachusetts, January 6, 181 1, and was 
the son of Charles P. and Relief J. Sumner. 
The family had long been prominent in that 
state. Charles was educated at the Boston 
Public Latin School; entered Harvard Col- 
lege in 1826, and graduated therefrom in 
1830. In 1 83 1 he joined the Harvard Law 
School, then under charge of Judge Story, 
and gave himself up to the study of law 
with enthusiasm. His leisure was devoted 
to contributing to the American Jurist. Ad- 
mitted to the bar in 1834 he was appointed 
reporter to the circuit court by Judge Story. 
He published several works about this time, 
and from 1835 to 1837 and again in 1843 
was lecturer in the law school. He had 
planned a lawyer's life, but in 1845 he gave 
his attention to politics, speakingand working 
against the admission of Texas to the Union 
and subsequently against the Mexican war. 
In 1848 he was defeated for congress on the 
Free Soil ticket. His stand on the anti- 
slavery question at that time alienated both 
friends and clients, but he never swerved 
from his convictions. In 185 1 he was elected 



to the United States senate and took his 
seat therein December i of that year. From 
this time his life became the history of the 
anti-slavery cause in congress. In August, 
1852, he began his attacks on slavery by a 
masterly argument for the repeal of the 
fugitive slave law. On May 22, 1856, Pres- 
ton Brooks, nephew of Senator Butler, of 
South Carolina, made an attack upon Mr. 
Sumner, at his desk in the senate, striking 
him over the head with a heavy cane. The 
attack was quite serious in its effects and 
kept Mr. Sumner absent from his seat in the 
senate for about four years. In 1857, 1863 
and 1869 he was re-elected to the office of 
senator, passing some twenty-three years in 
that position, always advocating the rights 
of freedom and equity. He died March 11, 
1874. 

THOMAS JEFFERSON, the third pres- 
ident of the United States, was born 
near Charlottesville, Albemarle count}', Vir- 
ginia, April 13, 1743, and was the son of 
Peter and Jane (Randolph) Jefferson. He 
received the elements of a good education, 
and in 1760 entered William and Mary Col- 
lege. After remaining in that institution for 
two years he took up the study of law with 
George Wythe, of Williamsburg, Virginia, 
one of the foremost lawyers of his day, and 
was admitted to practice in 1767. He ob- 
tained a large and profitable practice, which 
he held for eight years. The conflict be- 
tween Great Britain and the Colonies then 
drew him into public life, he having for 
some time given his attention to the study 
of the sources of law, the origin of liberty 
and equal rights. 

Mr. Jefferson was elected to the Virginia 
house of burgesses in 1769, and served in 
that body several years, a firm supporter o( 
liberal measures, and, although a slave- 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 



35 



holder himself, an opponent of slavery. 
With others, he was a leader among the op- 
position to the king. He took his place as 
a member of the Continental congress June 
21, 1775, and after serving on several com- 
mittees was appointed to draught a Declara- 
tion of Independence, which he did, some 
corrections being suggested by Dr. Franklin 
and John Adams. This document was pre- 
sented to congress June 28, 1776, and after 
six days' debate was passed and was signed. 
In the following September Mr. Jefferson 
resumed his seat in the Virginia legislature, 
and gave much time to the adapting of laws 
of that state to the new condition of things. 
He drew up the law, the first ever passed by 
a legislature or adopted by a government, 
which secured perfect religious freedom. 
June I, 1779, he succeeded Patrick Henry 
as governor of Virginia, an office which, 
after co operating with Washington in de- 
fending the country, he resigned two years 
later. One of his own estates was ravaged 
by the British, and his house at Monticello 
was held by Tarleton for several days, and 
Jefferson narrowly escaped capture. After 
the death of his wife, in 1782, he accepted 
the position of plenipotentiary to France, 
which he had declined in 1776. Before 
leaving he served a short time in congress 
at Annapolis, and succeeded in carrying a 
bill for establishing our present decimal sys- 
tem of currency, one of his most useful pub- 
lic services. He remained in an official ca- 
pacity until October, 1789, and was a most 
active and vigilant minister. Besides the 
onerous duties of his office, during this time, 
he published "Notes on Virginia," sent to 
the United States seeds, shrubs and plants, 
forwarded literary and scientific news and 
gave useful advice to some of the leaders of 
the French Revolution. 

Mr. Jefferson landed in Virginia Novem- 



ber 18, 1789, having obtained a leave of 
absence from his post, and shortly after ac- 
cepted Washington's offer of the portfolio 
of the department of state in his cabinet. 
He entered upon the duties of his office in 
March, 1791, and held it until January i, 
1794, when he tendered his resignation. 
About this time he and Alexander Hamilton 
became decided and aggressive political op- 
ponents, Jefferson being in warm sympathy 
with the people in the French revolution 
and strongly democratic in his feelings, 
while Hamilton took the opposite side. In 
1796 JefTerson was elected vice-president of 
the United States. In 1800 he was elected 
to the presidency and was inaugurated 
March 4, 1801. During his administration, 
which lasted for eight years, he having been 
re-elected in 1804, he waged a successful 
war against the Tripolitan pirates; purchased 
Louisiana of Napoleon; reduced the public 
debt, and was the originator of many wise 
measures. Declining a nomination for a 
third term he returned to Monticello, where 
he died July 4, 1826, but a few hours before 
the death of his friend, John Adams. 

Mr. Jefferson was married January i, 
1772, to Mrs. Martha Skelton, a young, 
beautiful, and wealthy widow, who died 
September 6, 1782, leaving three children, 
three more having died previous to her 
demise. 

CORNELIUS VANDERBILT, known as 
' ' Commodore " Vanderbilt, was the 
founder of what constitutes the present im- 
mense fortune of the Vanderbilt family. He 
was born May 27, 1794, at Port Richmond, 
Staten Island, Richmond county, New 
York, and we find him at sixteen years run- 
ning a small vessel between his home and 
New York City. The fortifications of Sta- 
ten and Long Islands were just in course of 



3(5 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHl'. 



construction, and he carried the laborers 
from New York to the fortifications in his 
" perianger, " as it was called, in the day, 
and at night carried supplies to the fort on 
the Hudson. Later he removed to New 
York, where he added to his Jittle fleet. At 
the age of twenty- three he was free from 
debt and was worth $9,000, and in 181 7, 
with a partner he built the first steamboat 
that was run between New York and New 
Brunswick, New Jersej', and became her 
captain at a salary of $1,000 a year. The 
next year he took command of a larger and 
better boat and by 1S24 he was in complete 
control of the Gibbon's Line, as it was 
called, which he had brought up to a point 
where it paid $40,000 a year. Commodore 
Vanderbilt acquired the ferry between New 
York and Elizabethport, New Jersey, 'on a 
fourteen years' lease and conducted this on 
a paying basis. He severed his connections 
with Gibbons in 1829 and engaged in 
business alone and for twenty years he was 
the leading steamboat man in the country, 
building and operating steamboats on the 
Hudson River, Long Island Sound, on the 
Delaware River and the route to Boston, 
and he had the monopoly of trade on these 
routes. In 1850 he determined to broaden 
his field of operation and accordingly built 
the steamship Prometheus and sailed for 
the Isthmus of Darien, where he desired to 
make a personal investigation of the pros- 
pects of the American Atlantic and Pacific 
Ship Canal Company, in which he had pur- 
chased a controlling interest. Commodore 
Vanderbilt planned, as a result of this visit, 
a transit route from Greytown on the At- 
lantic coast to San Juan del Sud on the Pa- 
cific coast, which was a saving of 700 miles 
over the old route. In 185 1 he placed three 
steamers on the Atlantic side and four on 
the Pacific side to accommodate the enor- 



mous traffic occasioned by the discovery of 
gold in California. The following year 
three more vessels were added to his iieet 
and a branch line established from New 
Orleans to Greytown. In 1853 the Com- 
modore sold out hisNicarauguaTransit Com- 
pany, which had netted him $1,000,000 
and built the renowned steam j'acht, the 
"North Star." He continued in the ship- 
ping business nine years longer and accu- 
mulated some $10,000,000. In 1861 he 
presented to the government his magnifi- 
cent steamer "Vanderbilt, " which had cost 
him $800,000 and for which he received the 
thanks of congress. In 1844 he became 
interested in the railroad business which he 
followed in later years and became one of 
the greatest railroad magnates of his time. 
He founded the Vanderbilt University at a 
cost of $1,000,000. He died January 4, 
1877, leaving a fortune estimated at over 
$100,000,000 to his children. 



DANIEL BOONE was one of the most 
famous of the many American scouts, 
pioneers and hunters which the early settle- 
ment of the western states brought into 
prominence. Daniel Boone was born Feb- 
ruary II, 1735, in Bucks county, Pennsyl- 
vania, but while yet a young man removed 
to North Carolina, where he was married. 
In 1769, with five companions, he pene- 
trated into the forests and wilds of Kentucky 
— then uninhabited by white men. He had 
frequent conflicts with the Indians and was 
captured by them but escaped and continued 
to hunt in and explore that region for over 
a year, when, in 1771, he returned to his 
home. In the summer of 1773, he removed 
with his own and five other families in', o 
what was then the wilderness of Kentucky, 
and to defend his colony against the savages, 
he built, in 1775, a fort at Boonesborough, 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 



87 



on the Kentucky river. This fort was at- 
tacked by the Indians several times in 1777, 
but they were repulsed. The following 
year, however, Boone was surprised and 
captured by them. They took him to De- 
troit and treated him with leniency, but he 
soon escaped and returned to his fort which 
he defended with success against four hun- 
dred and fifty Indians in August, 1778. His 
son, Enoch Boone, was the first white male 
child born in the state of Kentucky. In 
1795 Daniel Boone removed with his family 
to Missouri, locating about forty-five miles 
west of the present site of St. Louis, where 
he found fresh fields for his favorite pursuits 
— adventure, hunting, and pioneer life. His 
death occurred September 20, 1820. 



HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFEL- 
LOW, said to have been America's 
greatest "poet of the people," was born at 
Portland, Maine, February 27, 1807. He 
entered Bowdoin College at the age of four- 
teen, and graduated in 1825. During his 
college days he distinguished himself in mod- 
ern languages, and wrote several short 
poems, one of the best known of which was 
the " Hymn of the Moravian Nuns." After 
his graduation he entered the law office of 
his father, but the following year was offered 
the professorship of modern languages at 
Bowdoin, with the privilege of three years 
study in Europe to perfect himself in French, 
Spanish, Italian and German. After the 
three years were passed he returned to the 
United States and entered upon his profes- 
sorship in 1S29. His first volume was a 
small essay on the "Moral and Devotional 
Poetry of Spain" in 1833. In 1835 he pub- 
lished some prose sketches of travel under 
the title of "Outre Mer, a Pilgrimage be- 
yond the Sea." In 1835 he was elected to 
the chair of modern languages and literature 



at Harvard University and spent a year in 
Denmark, Sweden and Switzerland, culti- 
vating a knowledge of early Scandinavian 
literature and entered upon his professor- 
ship in 1836. Mr. Longfellow published in 
1839 " Hyperion, a Romance, " and ' ' Voices 
of the Night, " and his first volume of original 
verse comprising the selected poems of 
twenty years work, procured him immediate 
recognition as a poet. " Ballads and other 
poems" appeared in 1842, the "Spanish 
Student" a drama in three acts, in 1843, 
"The Belfry of Bruges " in 1846, "Evan- 
geline, a Tale of Acadia," in 1847, which 
was considered his master piece. In 1845 
he published a large volume of the "Poets 
and Poetry of Europe," 1849 " Kavanagh, 
a Tale," "The Seaside and Fireside" in 
1850, "The Golden Legend " in 1 85 1, "The 
Song of Hiawatha " in 1855, " The Court- 
ship of Miles Standish " in 1858, " Tales of 
a Wayside Inn " in 1863; " Flower de Luce" 
in 1866;" "New England Tragedies" in 
1869; "The Divine Tragedy" in 1871; 
"Three Books of Song" in 1872; -'The 
Hanging of the Crane " in 1874. He also 
published a masterly translation of Dante 
in 1867-70 and the " Morituri Salutamus," 
a poem read at the fiftieth anniversary of 
his class at Bowdoin College. Prof. Long- 
fellow resigned his chair at Harvard Univer- 
sity in 1854, but continued to reside at Cam- 
bridge. Some of his poetical works have 
been translated into many languages, and 
their popularity rivals that of the best mod- 
ern English poetry. He died March 24, 
1882, but has left an imperishable fame as 
one of the foremost of American poets. 



PETER COOPER was in three partic- 
ulars — as a capitalist and manufacturer, 
as an inventor, and as a philanthropist — 
connected intimately with some of the most 



38 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 



important and useful accessions to the in- 
dustrial arts of America, its progress in in- 
vention and the promotion of educational 
and benevolent institutions intended for the 
benefit of people at large. He was born 
in New York city, February 12, 1791. His 
life was one of labor and struggle, as it was 
with most of America's successful men. In 
early boyhood he commenced to help his 
rather as a manufacturer of hats. He at- 
tended school only for half of each day for 
a single year, and beyond this his acquisi- 
tions were all his own. When seventeen 
years old he was placed with John Wood- 
ward to learn the trade of coach-making and 
served his apprenticeship so satisfactorily 
chat his master offered to set him up in busi- 
ness, but this he declined because of the 
debt and obligation it would involve. 

The foundation of Mr. Cooper's fortune 
was laid in the invention of an improvement 
in machines for shearing cloth. This was 
largely called into use during the war of 
18 1 2 with England when all importations 
of cloth from that country were stopped. 
The machines lost their value, however, on 
the declaration of peace. Mr. Cooper then 
turned his shop into the manufacture of 
cabinet ware. He afterwards went into the 
grocery business in New York and finally he 
engaged in the manufacture of glue and isin- 
glass which he carried on for more than 
fifty years. In 1830 he erected iron works 
in Canton, near Baltimore. Subsequently 
he erected a rolling and a wire mill in the 
city of New York, in which he first success- 
fully applied anthracite to the puddling of 
iron. In these works, he was the first to 
roll wrought-iron beams for fire-proof build- 
ings. These works grew to be very exten- 
sive, including mines, blast furnaces, etc. 
While in Baltimore Mr. Cooper built in 
1830, after his own designs, the first loco- 



motive engine ever constructed on this con- 
tinent and it was successfully operated on 
the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. He also 
took a great interest and invested large cap- 
ital in the extension of the electric telegraph, 
also in the laying of the first Atlantic cable; 
besides interesting himself largely in the 
New York state canals. But the most 
cherished object of Mr. Cooper's life was 
the establishment of an institution for the 
instruction of the industrial classes, which 
he carried out on a magnificent scale in New 
York city, where the "Cooper Union" 
ranks among the most important institu- 
tions. 

In May, 1876, the Independent party 
nominated Mr. Cooper for president of the 
United States, and at the election following 
he received nearly 100,000 votes. His 
death occurred April 4, 1883. 



GENERAL ROBERT EDWARD LEE, 
one of the most conspicuous Confeder- 
ate generals during the Civil war, and one 
of the ablest military commanders of mod- 
ern times, was born at Stratford House, 
Westmoreland county, Virginia, January 19, 
1807. In 1825 he entered the West Point 
academy and was graduated second in his 
class in 1829, and attached to the army as 
second lieutenant of engineers. For a 
number of years he was thus engaged in en- 
gineering work, aiding in establishing the 
boundary line between Ohio and Michigan, 
and superintended various river and harbor 
improvements, becoming captain of engi- 
neers in 1838. He first saw field service in 
the Mexican war, and under General Scott 
performed valuable and efficient service. 
In that brilliant campaign he was conspicu- 
ous for professional ability as well as gallant 
and meritorious conduct, winning in quick 
succession the brevets of major, lieutenant- 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPIIT 



39 



colonel, and colonel for his part in the bat- 
tles of Cerro Gordo, Contreras, Cherubusco, 
Chapultepec, and in the capture of the city 
Mexico. At the close of that war he re- 
sumed his en^jineering work in connection 
with defences along the Atlantic coast, and 
from 1852 to 1855 was superintendent of 
the Military Academy, a position which he 
gave up to become lieutenant-colonel of the 
Second Cavalry. For several years there- 
after he served on the Texas border, but 
happening to be near Washington at the 
time of John Brown's raid, October 17 to 
25, 1859, Colonel Lee was placed in com- 
mand of the Federal forces employed in its 
repression. He soon returned to his regi- 
ment in Texas where he remained the 
greater part of i860, and March 16, 1861, 
became colonel of his regiment by regular 
promotion. Three weeks later, April 25, he 
resigned upon the secession of Virginia, 
went at once to Richmond and tendered his 
services to the governor of that state, being 
by acclamation appointed commander-in- 
chief of its military and naval forces, with 
the rank of major-general. 

He at once set to work to organize and 
develop the defensive resources of his state 
and within a month directed the occupation 
in force of Manassas Junction. Meanwhile 
Virginia having entered the confederacy and 
Richmond become the capitol, Lee became 
one of the foremost of its military officers 
and was closely connected with Jefferson 
Davis in planning the moves of that tragic 
time. Lee participated in many of the 
hardest fought battles of the war among 
which were Fair Oaks, White Lake Swamps, 
Cold Harbor, and the Chickahominy, Ma- 
nassas, Cedar Run, Antietam, Fredericks- 
burg, Chancellorsville, Malvern Hill, Get- 
tysburg, the battles of the Wilderness cam- 
paign, all the campaigns about Richmond, 



Petersburg, Five Forks, and others. Lee's 
surrender at Appomatox brought the war to 
a close. It is said of General Lee that but 
few commanders in history have been so 
quick to detect the purposes of an opponent 
or so quick to act upon it. Never surpassed, 
if ever equaled, in the art of winning the 
passionate, personal love and admiration of 
his troops, he acquired and held an influ- 
ence over his army to the very last, founded 
upon a supreme trust in his judgment, pre- 
science and skill, coupled with his cool, 
stable, equable courage. A great writer has 
said of him: "As regards the proper meas- 
ure of General Lee's rank among the sol- 
diers of history, seeing what he wrought 
with such resources as he had, under all the 
disadvantages that ever attended his oper- 
ations, it is impossible to measure what he 
might have achieved in campaigns and bat- 
tles with resources at his own disposition 
equal to those against which he invariably 
contended." 

Left at the close of the war without es- 
tate or profession, he accepted the presi- 
dency of Washington College at Lexington, 
Virginia, where he died October 12, 1870. 



JOHN JAY, first chief-justice of the 
United States, was born in New York, 
December 12, 1745. He took up the study 
of law, graduated from King's College 
(Columbia College), and was admitted to 
the bar in 1768. He was chosen a member 
of the committee of New York citizens to 
protest against the enforcement by the 
British government of the Boston Port Bill, 
was elected to the Continental congress 
which met in 1774, and was author of the 
addresses to the people of Great Britian and 
of Canada adopted by that and the suc- 
ceeding congress. He was chosen to the 
provincial assembly of his own state, and 



10 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 



resigned from the Continental congress to 
serve in that body, wrote most of its public 
papers, including the constitution of the new 
state, and was then made chief-justice. He 
was again chosen as a member of the Con- 
tinental congress in 1778, and became presi- 
dent of that body. He was sent to Spain 
as minister in 1780, and his services there 
resulted in substantial and moral aid for the 
struggling colonists. Jay, Franklin, and 
Adams negotiated the treaty of peace with 
Great Britain in 1782, and Jay was ap- 
pointed secretary of foreign affairs in 1784, 
and held the position until the adoption of 
the Federal constitution. During this time 
he had contributed strong articles to the 
"Federalist" in favor of the adoption of 
the constitution, and was largely instru- 
mental in securing the ratification of that 
instrument by his state. He was appointed 
by Washington as first chief-justice of the 
United States in 1789. In this high capac- 
ity the great interstate and international 
questions that arose for immediate settle- 
ment came before him for treatment. 

In 1794, at a time when the people in 
gratitude for the aid that France had ex- 
tended to us, were clamoring for the privilege 
of going to the aid of that nation in her 
struggle with Great Britain and her own op- 
pressors, John Jay was sent to England as 
special envoy to negotiate a treaty with 
that power. The instrument known as 
"Jay's Treaty " was the result, and while 
in many of its features it favored our nation, 
yet the neutrality clause in it so angered the 
masses that it was denounced throughout 
the entire country, and John Jay was burned 
in effigy in the city of New York. The 
treaty was finally ratified by Washington, 
and approved, in August, 1795. Having 
been elected governor of his state for three 
consecutive terms, he then retired from 



active life, declining an appointment as 
chief-justice of the supreme court, made by 
John Adams and confirmed by the senate. 
He died in New York in 1829. 



PHILLIP HENRY SHERIDAN was 
one of the greatest American cavalry 
generals. He was born March 6, 1831, at 
Somerset, Perry county, Ohio, and was ap- 
pointed to the United States Military Acad- 
emy at West Point, from which he graduat- 
ed and was assigned to the First Infantry as 
brevet second lieutenant July i, 1853. 
After serving in Texas, on the Pacific coast, 
in Washington and Oregon territories until 
the fall of 1 86 1, he was recalled to the 
states and assigned to the army of south- 
west Missouri as chief quartermaster from 
the duties of which he was soon relieved. 
After the battle of Pea Ridge, he was quar- 
termaster in the Corinth campaign, and on 
May 25 he was appointed colonel of the 
Second Michigan Cavalry. On July i, in 
command of a cavalry brigade, he defeated 
a superior force of the enemy and was com- 
missioned brigadier-general of volunteers. 
General Sheridan was then transferred to 
the army of the Ohio, and commanded a 
division in the battle of Perrysville and also 
did good service at the battle of Murfrees- 
boro, where he was commissioned major- 
general of volunteers. He fought with 
great gallantry at Chickamauga, after which 
Rosecrans was succeeded by General Grant, 
under whom Sheridan fought the battle of 
Chattanooga and won additional renown. 
Upon the promotion of Grant to lieutenant- 
general, he applied for the transfer of Gen- 
eral Sheridan to the east, and appointed 
him chief of cavalry in the army of the 
Potomac. During the campaign of 1864 
the cavalry covered the front and flanks ot 
the infantry until May 8, when it was witi'i 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 



4i 



drawn and General Sheridan started on a 
raid against the Confederate hnes of com- 
munication with Richmond and on May 25 
he rejoined the army, having destroyed con- 
siderable of the confederate stores and de- 
feated their cavalry under General Stuart at 
Yellow Tavern. The outer line of defences 
around Richmond were taken, but the sec- 
ond line was too strong to be taken by as- 
sault, and accordingly Sheridan crossed the 
Chickahominy at Meadow Bridge, reaching 
James River May 14, and thence by White 
House and Hanover Court House back to 
the army. The cavalry occupied Cold 
Harbor May 31, which they held until the 
arrival of the infantry. On General Sheri- 
dan's next raid he routed Wade Hampton's 
cavalry, and August 7 was assigned to the 
command of the Middle Military division, 
and during the campaign of the Shenan- 
doah Valley he performed the unheard of 
feat of " destroying an entire army." He 
was appointed brigadier-general of the reg- 
ular army and for his victory at Cedar Creek 
he was promoted to the rank of major-gen- 
eral. General Sheridan started out Febru- 
ary 27, 1865, with ten thousand cavalry 
and destroyed the Virginia Central Railroad 
and the James River Canal and joined the 
army again at Petersburg March 27. He 
commanded at the battle of Five Forks, the 
decisive victory which compelled Lee to 
evacuate Petersburg. On April 9, Lee tried 
to break through Sheridan's dismounted 
command but when the General drew aside 
his cavalry and disclosed the deep lines of 
infantry the attempt was abandoned. Gen- 
eral Sheridan mounted his men and was about 
to charge when a white flag was flown at the 
head of Lee's column which betokened the 
surrender of the army. After the war Gen- 
eral Sheridan had command of the army of 
the southwest, of the euif and the depart- 



ment of Missouri until he was appointed 
lieutenant-general and assigned to the di- 
vision of Missouri with headquarters at Chi- 
cago, and assumed supreme command of 
the army November i, 1883, which post he 
held until his death, August 5, 1888. 



PHINEAS T. BARNUM, the greatest 
showman the world has ever seen, was 
born at Danbury, Connecticut, July 5, 1810. 
At the age of eighteen years he began busi- 
ness on his own account. He opened a re- 
tail fruit and confectionery house, including 
a barrel of ale, in one part of an old car- 
riage house. He spent fifty dollars in fitting 
up the store and the stock cost him seventy 
dollars. Three years later he put in a full 
stock, such as is generally carried in a 
country store, and the same year he started 
a Democratic newspaper, known as the 
"Herald of Freedom." He soon found 
himself in jail under a sixty days' sentence 
for libel. During the winter of 1834-5 he 
went to New York and began soliciting busi- 
ness for several Chatham street houses. In 

1835 he embarked in the show business at 
Niblo's Garden, having purchased the cele- 
brated " Joice Heth" for one thousand dol- 
lars. He afterward engaged the celebrated 
athlete, Sig. Vivalia, and Barnum made his 
" first appearance on any stage," acting as a 
"super" to Sig. Vivalia on his opening 
night. He became ticket seller, secretary 
and treasurer of Aaron Turner's circus in 

1836 and traveled with it about the country. 
His next venture was the purchase of a 
steamboat on the Mississippi, and engaged 
a theatrical company to show in the princi- 
pal towns along that river. In 1S40 he 
opened Vaux Hall Garden, New York, with 
variety performances, and introduced the 
celebrated jig dancer, John Diamond, to the 
public. The next year he quit ihe show 



42 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT.- 



business and settled down in New York as 
agent of Sear's Pictorial Illustration of the 
Bible, but a few months later again leased 
Vaux Hall. In September of the same year 
he again left the business, and became 
' ' puff " writer for the Bowery Amphitheater. 
In December he bought the Scudder Museum, 
and a year later introduced the celebrated 
Tom Thumb to the world, taking him to 
England in 1844, and remaining there three 
years. He then returned to New York, and 
in 1849, through James Hall Wilson, he en- 
gaged the "Swedish Nightingale," Jenny 
Lind, to come to this country and make a 
tour under his management. He also had 
senfthe Swiss Bell Ringers to America in 
1844. He became owner of the Baltimore 
Museum and the Lyceum and Museum at 
Philadelphia. In 1850 he brought a dozen 
elephants from Ceylon to make a tour of this 
country, and in 185 1 sent the " Bateman 
Children" to London. During 185 1 and 
1852 he traveled as a temperance lecturer, 
and became president of a bank at Pequon- 
nock, Connecticut. In 1852 he started a 
weekly pictorial paper known as the " Illus- 
trated News." In 1865 his Museum was 
destroyed by fire, and he immediately leased 
the Winter Garden Theatre, where he played 
his company until he opened his own 
Museum. This was destroyed by fire in 
1868, and he then purchased an interest in 
the George Wood Museum. 

After dipping into politics to some ex- 
tent, he began his career as a really great 
showman in 1871. Three years later he 
erected an immense circular building in New 
York, in which he produced his panoramas. 
He has frequently appeared as a lecturer, 
some times on temperance, and some times 
on other topics, among which were "Hum- 
bugs of the World," "Struggles and 
Triumphs, " etc. He was owner of the im- 



mense menagerie and circus known as the 
"Greatest Show on Earth," and his fame 
extended throughout Europe and America. 
He died in 1891. 



JAMES MADISON, the fourth president 
of the United States, 1809-17, was 
born at Port Conway, Prince George coun- 
ty, Virginia, March 16, 1751. He was the 
son of a wealthy planter, who lived on a fine 
estate called " Montpelier," which was but 
twenty-five miles from Monticello, the home 
of Thomas Jefferson. Mr. Madison was the 
eldest of a family of seven children, all of 
whom attained maturity. He received his 
early education at home under a private 
tutor, and consecrated himself with unusual 
vigor to stud}'. At a very early age he was 
a proficient scholar in Latin, Greek, French 
and Spanish, and in 1769 he entered Prince- 
ton College, New Jersey. He graduated in 
1 77 1, but remained for several months after 
his graduation to pursue a course of study 
under the guidance of Dr. Witherspoon. 
He permanently injured his health at this 
time and returned to Virginia in 1772, and 
for two years he was immersed in the study 
of law, and at the same time made extend- 
ed researches in theology, general literature, 
and philosophical studies. He then directed 
his full attention to the impending struggle 
of the colonies for independence, and also 
took a prominent part in the religious con- 
troversy at that time regarding so called 
persecution of other religious denominations 
by the Church of England. Mr. Madison 
was elected to the Virginia assembly in 1776 
and in November, 1777, he was chosen 
a member of the council of state. He took 
his seat in the continental congress in 
March, 1780. He was made chairman of 
the committee on foreign relations, and 
drafted an able memoranda for the use of 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 



48 



the American ministers to the French and 
Spanish governments, that established the 
claims of the repubHc to the territories be- 
tween the Alleghany Mountains and the 
Mississippi River. He acted as chairman of 
the ways and means committee in 1783 and 
as a member of the Virginia legislature in 
1784-86 he rendered important services to 
the state. Mr. Madison represented Vir- 
giana in the national constitutional conven- 
tion at Philadelphia in 1787, and was one of 
the chief framers of the constitution. He 
was a member of the first four congresses, 
1789-97, and gradually became identified 
with the anti-federalist or republican party 
of which he eventually became the leader. 
He remained in private life during the ad- 
ministration of John Adams, and was secre- 
tary of state under President Jefferson. Mr. 
Madison administered the affairs of that 
post with such great ability that he was the 
natural successor of the chief magistrate 
and was chosen president by an electoral 
vote of 122 to 53. He was inaugurated 
March 4, 1809, at that critical period in our 
history when the feelings of the people were 
embittered with those of England, and his 
first term was passed in diplomatic quarrels, 
which finally resulted in the declaration of 
war, June 18, 1812. In the autumn of that 
year President Madison was re-elected by a 
vote of 128 to 89, and conducted the war 
for three years with varying success and 
defeat in Canada, by glorious victories at 
sea, and by the battle of New Orleans that 
was fought after the treaty of peace had 
been signed at Ghent, December 24, 18 14. 
During this war the national capitol at 
Washington was burned, and many valuable 
papers were destroyed, but the declaration 
of independence was saved to the country 
by the bravery and courage of Mr. Madi- 
son's illustrious wife. A commercial treaty 



was negotiated with Great Britain in 181 5, 
and in April, 18 16, a national bank was in- 
corporated by congress. Mr. Madison was 
succeeded, March 4, 18 17, by James Monroe, 
and retired into private life on his estate at 
Montpelier, where he died June 28, 1836. 



FREDERICK DOUGLASS, a noted 
American character, was a protege of 
the great abolitionist, William Lloyd Garri- 
son, by whom he was aided in gaining his 
education. Mr. Douglass was born in Tuck- 
ahoe county, Maryland, in February, 18 17, 
his mother being a negro woman and his 
father a white man. He was born in slav- 
ery and belonged to a man by the name of 
Lloyd, under which name he went until he 
ran away from his master and changed it to 
Douglass. At the age of ten years he was 
sent to Baltimore where he learned to read 
and write, and later his owner allowed him 
to hire out his own time for three dollars a 
week in a shipyard. In September, 1838, 
he fled from Baltimore and made his way to 
New York, and from thence went to New 
Bedford, Massachusetts. Here he was mar- 
ried and supported himself and family by 
working at the wharves and in various work- 
shops. In the summer of 1841 he attended 
an anti-slavery convention at Nantucket, 
and made a speech which was so well re- 
ceived that he was offered the agency of the 
Massachusetts Anti-slavery Society. In this 
capacity he traveled through the New En- 
gland states, and about the same time he 
published his first book called ' ' Narrative 
of my E.xperience in Slavery." Mr. Doug- 
lass went to England in 1845 and lectured 
on slavery to large and enthusiastic audi- 
ences in all the large towns of the country, 
and his friends made up a purse of seven 
hundred and fifty dollars and purchased his 
freedom in due form of law. 



44 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHr. 



Mr. Douglass applied himself to the de- 
livery of lyceum lectures after the abolition 
of slaver}', and in 1870 he became the editor 
of the " New National Era " in Washington. 
In 1 87 1 he was appointed assistant secretary 
of the commission to San Domingo and on 
his return he was appointed one of the ter- 
ritorial council for the District of Colorado 
by President Grant. He was elected presi- 
dential elector-at-large for the state of New 
York and was appointed to carry the elect- 
oral vote to Washington. He was also 
United States marshal for the District of 
Columbia in 1S76J and later was recorder 
of deeds for the same, from which position 
he was removed by President Cleveland in 
1886. In the fall of that year he visited 
England to inform the friends that he had 
made while there, of the progress of the 
colored race in America, and on his return 
he was appointed minister to Hayti, by 
President Harrison in 1889. His career as 
a benefactor of his race was closed by his 
death in February, 1895, near Washington. 



WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT.— The 
ear for rhythm and the talent for 
graceful expression are the gifts of nature, 
and they were plentifully endowed on the 
above named p>oet. The principal charac- 
teristic of his poetry is the thoughtfulness 
and intellectual process by which his ideas 
ripened in his mind, as all his poems are 
bright, clear and sweet. Mr. Bryant was 
born November 3, 1794, at Cummington, 
Hampshire county, Massachusetts, and was 
educated at Williams College, from which 
he graduated, having entered it in 18 10. 
He took up the study of law, and in 181 5 
was admitted to the bar, but after practicing 
successfully for ten years at Plainfield and 
Great Barrington, he removed to New York 
in 1 82 5. The following year he became 



the editor of the "Evening Post," which 
he edited until his death, and under his di- 
rection this paper maintained, through a 
long series of years, a high standing by the 
boldness of its protests against slavery be- 
fore the war, by its vigorous support of the 
government during the war, and by the 
fidelity and ability of its advocacy of the 
Democratic freedom in trade. Mr. Bry- 
ant visited Europe in 1834, 1845, '849 and 
1857, and presented to the literary world 
the fruit of his travels in the series of "Let- 
ters of a Traveler," and "Letters from 
Spain and Other Countries." In the world 
jof literature he is known chiefly as a poet, 
and here Mr. Bryant's name is illustrious, 
both at home and abroad. He contributed 
verses to the "Country Gazette " before he 
was ten years of age, and at the age of nine- 
teen he wrote " Thanatopsis," the most im- 
pressive and widely known of his poems. 
The later outgrowth of his genius was his 
translation of Homer's "Iliad" in 1870 
and the "Odyssey" in 1871. He also 
made several speeches and addresses which 
have been collected in a comprehensive vol- 
ume called " Orations and Addresses. " He 
was honored in many ways by his fellow 
citizens, who delighted to pay tributes of 
respect to his literary eminence, the breadth 
of his public spirit, the faithfulness of his 
service, and the worth of his private char- 
acter. Mr. Bryant died in New York City 
June 12, 1878. 



WILLIAM HENRY SEWARD, the 
secretary of state during one of the 
most critical times in the history of our 
country, and the right hand man of Presi- 
dent Lincoln, ranks among the greatest 
statesmen America has produced. Mr. 
Seward was born May 16, 1 801, at Florida, 
Orange county, New York, and with such 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 



47 



facilities as the place afforded he fitted him- 
self for a college course. He attended 
Union College at Schenectady, New York, 
at the age of fifteen, and took his degree in 
the regular course, with signs of promise in 
1820, after which he diligently addressed 
himself to the study of law under competent 
instructors, and started in the practice of 
his profession in 1823. 

Mr. Seward entered the political arena 
and in 1828 we find him presiding over a 
convention in New York, its purpose being 
the nomination of John Quincy Adams for a 
second term. He was married in 1824 and 
in 1830 was elected to the state senate. 
From 1838 to 1842 he was governor of the 
state of New York. Mr. Seward's next im- 
portant position was that of United States 
senator from New York. 

\V. H. Seward was chosen by President 
Lincoln to fill the important office of the 
secretary of state, and by his firmness and 
diplomacy in the face of difficulties, he aided 
in piloting the Union through that period of 
strife, and won an everlasting fame. This 
great statesman died at Auburn, New York, 
October 10, 1872, in the seventy-second 
year of his eventful life. 



JOSEPH JEFFERSON, a name as dear 
as it is familiar to the theater-going 
world in America, suggests first of all a fun- 
loving, drink-loving, mellow voiced, good- 
natured Dutchman, and the name of "Rip 
Van Winkle " suggests the pleasant features 
of Joe Jefferson, so intimately are play and 
player associated in the minds of those who 
have had the good fortune to shed tears of 
laughter and sympathy as a tribute to the 
greatness of his art. Joseph Jefferson was 
born in Philadelphia, February 20, 1829. 
His genius was an inheritance, if there be 

such, as his great-grandfather, Thomas 
3 



Jefferson, was a manager and actor in Eng 
land. His grandfather, Joseph Jefferson, 
was the most popular comedian of the New 
York stage in his time, and his father, Jos- 
eph Jefferson, the second, was a good actor 
also, but the third Joseph Jefferson out- 
shone them all. 

At the age of three years Joseph Jeffer- 
son came on the stage as the child in "Pi- 
zarro," and his training was upon the stage 
from childhood. Later on he lived and 
acted in Chicago, Mobile, and Texas. ' After 
repeated misfortunes he returned to New 
Orleans from Texas, and his brother-in-law, 
Charles Burke, gave him money to reach 
Philadelphia, where he joined the Burton 
theater company. Here his genius soon as- 
serted itself, and his future became promis- 
ing and brilliant. His engagements through- 
out the United States and Australia were 
generally successful, and when he went to 
England in 1865 Mr. Boucicault consented 
to make sorne important changes in his 
dramatization of Irving's story of Rip Van 
Winkle, and Mr. Jefferson at once placed 
it in the front rank as a comedy. He made 
a fortune out of it, and played nothing else 
for many years. In later years, however, 
Mr. Jefferson acquitted himself of the charge 
of being a one-part actor, and the parts of 
"Bob Acres," "Caleb Plummer" and 
"Golightly " all testify to the versatility of 
his genius. 

GEORGE BRINTON McCLELLAN, 
a noted American general, was born 
in Philadelphia, December 3, 1826. He 
graduated from the University of Pennsyl- 
vania, and in 1846 from West Point, and 
was breveted second lieutenant of engineers. 
He was with Scott in the Mexican war, 
taking part in all the engagements from 
Vera Cruz to the final capture of the Mexi- 



48 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 



can capital, and was breveted first lieuten- 
ant and captain for gallantry displayed on 
various occasions. In 1857 he resigned his 
commission and accepted the position of 
chief engineer in the construction of the 
Illinois Central Railroad, and became presi- 
dent of the St. Louis & Cincinnati Railroad 
Company. He was commissioned major- 
general by the state of Ohio in 1861, 
placed in command of the department of 
the Ohio, and organized the first volunteers 
called for from that state. In May he was 
appointed major-general in the United 
States army, and ordered to disperse the 
confederates overrunning West Virginia. 
He accomplished this task promptly, and 
received the thanks of congress. After the 
first disaster at Bull Run he was placed 
in command of the department of Wash- 
ington, and a few weeks later of the 
Army of the Potomac. Upon retirement 
of General Scott the command of the en- 
tire United States army devolved upon Mc- 
Clellan, but he was relieved of it within a 
few months. In March, 1862, after elabor- 
ate preparation, he moved upon Manassas, 
only to find it deserted by the Confederate 
army, which had been withdrawn to im- 
pregnable defenses prepared nearer Rich- 
mond. He then embarked his armies for 
Fortress Monroe and after a long delay at 
Yorktown, began the disastrous Peninsular 
campaigji, which resulted in the Army of tbe 
Potomac being cooped up on the James 
River below Richmond. His forces .were 
then called to the support of General Pope, 
near Washington, and he was left without an 
army. After Pope's defeat McClellan was 
placed in command of the troops for the de- 
fense of the capital, and after a thorough or- 
ganization he followed Lee into Maryland 
and the battles of Antietam and South Moun- 
tain ensued. The delay which followed 



caused general dissatisfaction, and he was re- 
lievedof his command, and retired from active 
service. 

In 1864 McClellan was nominated for 
the presidency by the Democrats, and over- 
whelmingly defeated by Lincoln, three 
states only casting their electoral votes for 
McClellan. On election day he resigned 
his commission and a few months later went 
to Europe where he spent several years. 
He wrote a number of military text- books 
and reports. His death occurred October 
29, 1885. ___^__^ 

SAMUEL J. TILDEN.— Among the great 
statesmen whose names adorn the pages 
of American history may be found that of 
the subject of this sketch. Known as a 
lawyer of highest ability, his greatest claim 
to immortality will ever lie in his successful 
battle against the corrupt rings of his native 
state and the elevation of the standard of 
official life. 

Samuel J. Tilden was born in New Leb- 
anon, New York, February 9, 1S14. He 
pursued his academic studies at Yale Col- 
lege and the University of New York, tak- 
ing the course of law at the latter. He 
was admitted to the bar in 1841. His rare 
ability as a thinker and writer upon public 
topics attracted the attention of President 
Van Buren, of whose policy and adminis- 
tration he became an active and efficient 
champion. He made for himself a high 
place in his profession and amassed quite a 
fortune as the result of his industry and 
judgment. During the days of his greatest 
professional labor he was ever one of the 
. leaders and trusted counsellors of the Demo- 
cratic party. He was a member of the 
conventions to revise the state constitution, 
both in 1846 and 1867, and served two 
terms in the lower branch of the state leg- 



COMPEXniUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 



49 



islature. He was one of the controlling 
spirits in the overthrow of the notorious 
"Tweed rin;,' " and the reforniation of the 
government of the city of New York. In 
1874 he was elected governor of the state 
of New York. While in this position he 
assailed corruption in high places, success- 
fully battling with the iniquitous "canal 
ring " and crushed its sway over all depart- 
ments of the government. Recognizing his 
character and executive ability Mr. Tilden 
was nominated for president by the na- 
tional Democratic convention in 1876. At 
the election he received a much larger popu- 
lar vote than his opponent, and 184 uncon- 
tested electoral votes. There being some 
electoral votes contested, a commission ap- 
pointed by congress decided in favor of the 
Republican electors and Mr. Hayes, the can- 
didate of that party was declared elected. 
In 18S0, the Democratic party, feeling that 
Mr. Tilden had been lawfully elected to the 
presidency tendered the nomination for the 
same office to Mr. Tilden, but he declined, 
retiring from all public functions, owing to 
failing health. He died August 4, 1886. 
By will he bequeathed several millions of 
dollars toward the founding of public libra- 
ries in New York City, Yonkers, etc. 



NOAH WEBSTER.— As a scholar, law- 
yer, author and journalist, there is no 
one who stands on a higher plane, or whose 
reputation is better established than the 
honored gentleman whose name heads this 
sketch. He was a native of West Hartford, 
Connecticut, and was born October 17, 
1758. He came of an old New England 
family, his mother being a descendant of 
Governor William Bradford, of the Ply- 
mouth colony. After acquiring a solid edu- 
cation in early life Dr. Webster entered 
Yale College, from which he graduated in 



1778. For a while he taught school in 
Hartford, at the same time studying lav.', 
and was admitted to the bar in 1781. He 
taught a classical school at Goshen, Orange 
county. New York, in 17S2-83, and while 
there prepared his spelling book, grammar 
and reader, which was issued under the title 
of "A Grammatical Institute of the English 
Language," in three parts, — so successful a 
work that up to 1876 something like forty 
million of the spelling books had been 
sold. In 1786 he delivered a course of lec- 
tures on the English language in the seaboard 
cities and the following year taught an 
academy at Philadelphia. From December 
I7> 1787, until November, 1788, he edited 
the "American Magazine, "a periodical that 
proved unsuccessful. In 1789-93 he prac- 
ticed law in Hartford having in the former 
year married the daughter of William Green- 
leaf, of Boston. He returned to New York 
and November, 1793, founded a daily paper, 
the "Minerva," to which was soon added a 
semi-weekly edition under the name of the 
" Herald." The former is still in existence 
under the name of the " Commercial Adver- 
tiser . " In this paper, over the signature of 
"Curtius," he published a lengthy and schol- 
arly defense of "John Jay's treaty." 

In 1798, Dr. Webster moved to New 
Haven and in 1807 commenced the prepar- 
ation of his great work, the ' ' American Dic- 
tionary of the English Language , " which 
was not completed and published until 1828. 
He made his home in Amherst, Massachu- 
setts, for the ten years succeeding 18 12, and 
was instrumental in the establishment of 
Amherst College, of which institution he was 
the first president of the board of trustees. 
During 1824-5 he resided in Europe, pursu- 
ing his philological studies in Paris. He 
completed his dictionary from the libraries 
of Cambridge University in 1825, and de- 



50 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 



voted his leisure for the remainder of his 
life to the revision of that and his school 
books. 

Dr. Webster was a member of the legis- 
latures of both Connecticut and Massachu- 
setts, was judge of one of the courts of the 
former state and was identified with nearly 
all the literary and scientific societies in the 
neighborhood of Amherst College. He died 
in New Haven, May 28, 1843. 

Among the more prominent works ema- 
nating from the fecund pen of Dr. Noah 
Webster besides those mentioned above are 
the following: "Sketches of American 
Policy," " Winthrop's Journal," " A Brief 
History of Epidemics," "Rights of Neutral 
Nations in time of ^^'ar," "A Philosophical 
and Practical Grammar of the English Lan- 
guage," "Dissertations on the English 
Language," "A Collection of Essays," 
"The Revolution in France," "Political 
Progress of Britain," "Origin, History, and 
Connection of the Languages of Western 
Asia and of Europe," and many others. 



WILLIAM LLOYD GARRISON, the 
great anti-slavery pioneer and leader, 
was born in Newburj'port, Massachusetts, 
December 12, 1804. He was apprenticed 
to the printing business, and in 1828 was in- 
duced to take charge of the "Journal of the 
Times" at Bennington, Vermont. While 
supporting John Quincy Adams for the presi- 
dency he took occasion in that paper to give 
expression of his views on slavery. These 
articles attracted notice, and a Quaker 
named Lundy, editor of the "Genius of 
Emancipation," published in Baltimore, in- 
duced him to enter a partnership with him 
for the conduct of his paper. It soon 
transpired that the views of the partners 
were not in harmony, Lundy favoring grad- 
ual emancipation, while Garrison favored 



immediate freedom. In 1850 Mr. Garrison 
was thrown into prison for libel, not being 
able to pay a fine of fifty dollars and costs. 
In his cell he wrote a number of poems 
which stirred the entire north, and a mer- 
chant, Mr. Tappan, of New York, paid his 
fine and liberated him, after seven weeks of 
confinement. He at once began a lecture 
tour of the northern cities, denouncing 
slavery as a sin before God, and demanding 
its immediate abolition in the name of re- 
ligion and humanity. He opposed the col- 
onization scheme of President Monroe and 
other leaders, and declared the right of 
every slave to immediate freedom. 

In 1 83 1 he formed a partnership with 
Isaac Knapp, and began the publication of 
the "Liberator" at Boston. The "imme- 
diate abolition " idea began to gather power 
in the north, while the south became 
alarmed at the bold utterance of this jour- 
nal. The mayor of Boston was besought 
by southern influence to interfere, and upon 
investigation, reported upon the insignifi- 
cance, obscurity, and poverty of the editor 
and his staff, which report was widely 
published throughout the country. Re- 
wards were offered by the southern states 
for his arrest and conviction. Later Garri- 
son brought from England, where an eman- 
cipation measure had just been passed, 
some of the great advocates to work for the 
cause in this country. In 1835 a mob 
broke into his office, broke up a meeting of 
women, dragged Garrison through the street 
with a rope around his body, and his life 
was saved only by the interference of the 
police, who lodged him in jail. Garrison 
declined to sit in the World's Anti-Slaverv 
convention at London in 1840, because 
that body had refused women representa- 
tion. He opposed the formation of a pvj- 
litical party with emancipation as its basis. 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 



51 



He favored a dissolution of the union, and 
declared the constitution which bound the 
free states to the slave states " A covenant 
with death and an agreement with hell." 
In 1 843 he became president of the Amer- 
ican Anti-Slavery society, which position he 
held until 1865, when slavery was no more. 
During all this time the " Liberator " had 
continued to promulgate anti-slavery doc- 
trines, but in 1865 Garrison resigned his 
position, and declared his work was com- 
pleted. He died May 24, 1879. 



JOHN BROWN ("Brown of Ossawato- 
mie"), a noted character in American 
history, wasbornatTorrington, Connecticut, 
May 9, 1800. In his childhood he removed 
to Ohio, where he learned the tanner's 
trade. He married there, and in 1855 set- 
tled in Kansas. He lived at the village of 
Ossawatomie in that state, and there began 
his fight against slavery. He advocated im- 
mediate emancipation, and held that the 
negroes of the slave states merely waited 
for a leader in an insurrection that would re- 
sult in their freedom. He attended the 
convention called at Chatham, Canada, in 
1859, and was the leading spirit in organiz- 
mg a raid upon the United States arsenal at 
Harper's Ferry, Virginia. His plans were 
well laid, and carried out in great secrecy. 
He rent^ed a farm house near Harper's Ferry 
in the summer of 1859, and on October 
1 6th of that year, with about twenty follow- 
ers, he surprised and captured the United 
States arsenal, with all its supplies and 
arms. To his surprise, the negroes did not 
come to his support, and the next day he 
was attacked by the Virginia state militia, 
wounded and captured. He was tried in 
the courts of the state, convicted, and was 
hanged at Charlestown, December 2, 1859. 
The raid and its results had a tremendous 



effect, and hastened the culmination of the 
troubles between the north and south. The 
south had the advantage in discussing this 
event, claiming that the sentiment which 
inspired this act of violence was shared by 
the anti-slavery element of the country. 



EDWIN BOOTH had no peer upon the 
American stage during his long career 
as a star actor. He was the son of a famous 
actor, Junius Brutus Booth, and was born 
in 1833 at his father's home at Belair, near 
Baltim.ore. At the age of sixteen he made his 
first appearance on the stage, at the Boston 
Museum, in a minor part in "Richard III." 
It was while playing in California in 1851 
that an eminent critic called general atten- 
tion to the young actor's unusual talent. 
However, it was not until 1863, at the great 
Shakspearian revival at the Winter Garden 
Theatre, New York, that the brilliancy of 
his career began. His Hamlet held the 
boards for 100 nights in succession, and 
from that time forth Booth's reputation was 
established. In 1868 he opened his own 
theatre (Booth's Theater) in New York. 
Mr. Booth never succeeded as a manager, 
however, but as an actor he was undoubted- 
ly the most popular man on the American 
stage, and perhaps the most eminent one in 
the world. In England he also won the 
greatest applause. 

Mr. Booth's work was confined mostly 
to Shakspearean roles, and his art was 
characterized by intellectual acuteness, 
fervor, and poetic feeling. His Hamlet, 
Richard II, Richard III, and Richelieu gave 
play to his greatest powers. In 1865, 
when his brother, John Wilkes Booth, 
enacted his great crime, Edwin Booth re- 
solved to retire from the stage, but waspur- 
suaded to reconsider that decision. The 
odium did not in any way attach to the 



5-2 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 



great actor, and his popularity was not 
affected. In all his work Mr. Booth clung 
closely to the legitimate and the traditional 
in drama, making no experiments, and offer- 
ing little encouragement to new dramatic 
authors. His death occurred in New York, 
June 7, 1894. 



JOSEPH HOOKER, a noted American 
officer, was born at Hadley, Massachu- 
setts, November 13, 18 14. He graduated 
from West Point Military Academy in 1837, 
and was appointed lieutenant of artillery. 
He served in Florida in the Seminole war, 
and in garrison until the outbreak of the 
Mexican war. During the latter he saw 
service as a staff officer and was breveted 
captain, major and lieutenant-colonel for 
gallantry at Monterey, National Bridge and 
Chapulteoec. Resigning his commission in 
1833 he took up farming in California, which 
he followed until 1861. During this time 
he acted as superintendent of military roads 
in Oresron. At the outbreak of the Rebel- 
lion Hooker tendered his services to the 
government, and. May 17, 1861, was ap- 
pointed brigadier-general of volunteers. He 
served in the defence of Washington and on 
the lower Potomac until his appointment to 
the command of a division in the Third 
Corps, in March, 1862. For gallant con- 
duct at the siege of Yorktown and in the 
battles of Williamsburg, Fair Oaks, Fra- 
zier's Farm and Malvern Hill he was made 
major-general. At the head of his division 
he participated in the battles of Manassas 
and Chantilly. September 6, 1862, he was 
placed at the head of the First Corps, and 
in the battles of South Mountam and An- 
tietam acted with his usual gallantry, being 
wounded m the latter engagement. On re- 
joining the army in November he was made 
brigadier-general in the regular army. On 



General Burnside attaining the command of 
the Army of the Potomac General Hooker 
was placed in command of the center grand 
division, consisting of the Second and Fifth 
Corps. At the head of these gallant men 
he participated in the battle of Fred- 
ericksburg, December 13, 1862. In Janu- 
ary, 1S63, General Hooker assumed com- 
mand of the Army of the Potomac, and in 
May following fought the battle of Chan- 
cellorsville. At the time of the invasion of 
Pennsylvania, owing to a dispute with Gen- 
eral Halleck, Hooker requested to be re- 
lieved of his command, and June 28 was 
succeeded by George G. Meade. In Sep- 
tember, 1863, General Hooker was given 
command of the Twentieth Corps and trans- 
ferred to the Army of the Cumberland, and 
distinguished himself at the battles of Look- 
out Mountain, Missionary Ridge, and Ring- 
gold. In the Atlanta campaign he saw 
almost daily service and merited his well- 
known nickname of "Fighting Joe." July 
30, 1864, at his own request, he was re- 
lieved of his command. He subsequently 
was in command of several military depart- 
ments in the north, and in October, 1868, 
was retired with the full rank of major-gen- 
eral. He died October 31, 1879. 



JAY GOULD, one of the greatest finan- 
ciers that the world has ever produced, 
was born May 27, 1836, at Roxbury, Dela- 
ware county. New York. He spent his early 
years on his father's farm and at the age of 
fourteen entered Hobart Academy, New 
York, and kept books for the village black- 
smith. He acquired a taste for mathematics 
and surveying and on leaving school found 
employment in making the surveyor's map 
of Ulster county. He surveyed very exten- 
sively in the state and accumulated five thou- 
sand dollars as the fruits of his labor. He 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAP/I)' 



53 



was then stricken with typhoid fever but re- 
covered and nipae the acquaintance of one 
Zadock Pratt, who sent him into the west- 
ern part of the state to locate a site for a 
tannery. He chose a fine hemlock grove, 
built a sawmill and blacksmith shop and 
was soon doing a large lumber business with 
Mr. Pratt. Mr. Gould soon secured control 
of the entire plant, which he sold out just 
before the panic of 1857 and in this year he 
became the largest stockholderintheStrouds- 
burg, Pennsylvania, bank. Shortly after the 
crisis he bought the bonds of the Rutland 
& Washington Railroad at ten cents on the 
dollar, and put all his money into railroad 
securities. For a long time he conducted 
this road which he consolidated with the 
Rensselaer & Saratoga Railroad. In 1859 
he removed to New York and became a 
heavy investor in Erie Railroad stocks, en- 
tered that company and was president until 
its reorganization in 1872. In December, 
1880, Mr. Gould was in control of ten thou- 
sand miles of railroad. In 1887 he pur- 
chased the controlling interest in the St. 
Louis & San Francisco Railroad Co., and 
was a joint owner with the Atchison, Topeka 
& Santa Fe Kailread Co. of the western 
portion of the Southern Pacific line. Other 
lines soon came under his control, aggregat- 
ing thousand of miles, and he soon was rec- 
ognized as one of the world's greatest rail- 
road magnates. He continued to hold his 
place as one of the master financiers of the 
century until the time of his death which 
occurred December 2, 1892. 



THOMAS HART BENTON, a very 
prominent United States senator and 
statesman, was born at Hillsborough, North 
Carolina, March 14, 1782. He removed to 
Tennessee in early life, studied law, and be- 
gan to practice at Nashville about 18 10. 



During the war of 1S12-1815 he served as 
colonel of a Tennessee regiment under Gen- 
eral Andrew Jackson. In 1 8 1 5 he removed 
to St. Louis, Missouri, and in 1820 was 
chosen United States senator for that state. 
Having been re-elected in 1826, he sup- 
ported President Jackson in his opposition 
to the United States bank and advocated a 
gold and silver currency, thus gaining the 
name of " Old Bullion," by which he was 
familiarly known. For many years he was 
the most prominent man in Missouri, and 
took rank among the greatest statesmen of 
his day. He was a member of the senate 
for thirty years and opposed the extreme 
states' rights policy of John C. Calhoun. 
In 1852 he was elected to the house of rep- 
resentatives in which he opposed the repeal 
of the Missouri compromise. He was op- 
posed by a powerful party of States' Rights 
Democrats in Missouri, who defeated him as a 
candidate for governor of that state in 1856. 
Colonel Benton published a considerable 
work in two volumes in 1854-56, entitled. 
" Thirty Years' View, or a History of the 
Working of the American Government for 
Thirty Years, 1820-50." He died April ID, 
1858. 

STEPHEN ARNOLD DOUGLAS.— One 
of the most prominent figures in politic- 
al circles during the intensely exciting days 
that preceded the war, and a leader of the 
Union branch of the Democratic party was 
the gentleman whose name heads this 
sketch. 

He was born at Brandon, Rutland coun- 
ty, Vermont, April 23, 1813, of poor but 
respectable parentage. His father, a prac- 
ticing physician, died while our subject was 
but an infant, and his mother, with two 
small children and but small means, could 
give him but the rudiments of an education. 



54 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHV. 



At the age of fifteen young Douglas engaged 
at work in the cabinet making business to 
raise fni;ds to carry him througti college. 
After a few years of labor he was enabled to 
pursue an academical course, first at Bran- 
don, and later at Canandaigua, New York. 
In the latter place he remained until 1833, 
taking up the study of law. Before he was 
twenty, however, his lunds running low, he 
abandoned all further attempts at educa- 
tion, determining to enter at once the battle 
of life. After some wanderings tnrough the 
western states he tooK ud his residence at 
Jacksonville, Iliinois. where, after teaching 
school for three months, he was admitted to 
the bar, and opened an office in 1834. 
Within a year from that time, so rapidly had 
he- risen in his profession, he was chosen 
attorney general of the state, and warmly 
espoused the principles of the Democratic 
party. He soon became one of the most 
popular orators in Illinois. It was at this 
time he gained the name of the "Little 
Giant." In 1835 he resigned the position 
of attorney general having been elected to 
the legislature. In 1841 he was chosen 
judge of the supreme court of Illinois which 
he resigned two years later to take a seat in 
congress. It was during this period of his 
life, while a member of the lower house, 
that he established his reputation and took 
the side of those who contended that con- 
gress had no constitutional right to restrict 
the extension of slavery further than the 
agreement between the states made in 1820. 
This, in spite of his being opposed to slav- 
ery, and only on grounds which he believed 
to be right, favored what was called the 
Missouri ccmpromise. In 1847 ^^r- Doug- 
las was chosen United States senator for 
si.x years, and greatly distinguished himself. 
In 1852 he was re-elected to the same office. 
During this latter term, under his leader- 



ship, the " Kansas-Nebraska bill " was car- 
ried in the senate. In 1858, nothwith- 
standing the fierce contest made by his able 
competitor for the position, Abraham Lin- 
coln, and with the administration of Bu- 
chanan arrayed against him, Mr. Douglas 
was re-elected senator. After the trouble 
in the Charleston convention, when by the 
withdrawal of several state delegates with- 
out a nomination, the Union Democrats, 
in convention at Baltimore, in i860, nomi- 
nated Mr. Douglas as their candidate for 
presidency. The results of this election are 
well known and the great events of 1861 
coming on, Mr. Douglas was spared their 
full development, dying at Chicago, Illinois, 
June 3, 1 86 1, after a short illness. His 
last words to his children were, ' ' to obey 
the laws and support the constitution of the 
United States." 



JAMES MONROE, fifth president of the 
United States, was born in Westmore- 
land county, Virginia, April 28, 1758. At 
the age of sixteen he entered William and 
Mary College, but two years later the 
Declaration of Independence having been 
adopted, he left college and hastened to New 
York where he joined Washington's army as 
a military cadet. 

At the battle of Trenton Monroe per- 
formed gallant service and received a wound 
in the shoulder, and was promoted to a 
captaincy. He acted as aide to Lord Ster- 
ling at the battles of Brandywine, German- 
town and Monmouth. Washington then 
sent him to Virginia to raise a new regiment 
of which he was to be colonel. The ex- 
hausted condition of Virginia made this im ■ 
! possible, but he received his commission. 
I He next entered the law office of Thomas 
j Jefferson to study law, as there was no open- 
I ing for him as an officer in the army. In 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 



55 



1782 he was elected to the Virginia assem- 
bly, and the next year he was elected to the 
Continental congress. Realizing the inade- 
quac}' of the old articles of confederation, 
he advocated the calling of a convention to 
consider their revision, and introduced in 
congress a resolution empowering congress 
to regulate trade, lay import duties, etc. 
This resolution was referred to a committee, 
of which he was chairman, and the report 
led to the Annapolis convention, which 
called a general convention to meet at Phila- 
delphia in 1787, when the constitution was 
drafted. Mr. Monroe began the practice of 
law at Fredericksburg, Virginia, and was 
soon affer elected to the legislature, and ap- 
pointed as one of the committee to pass 
upon the adoption of the constitution. He 
opposed it, as giving too much power to the 
central government. He was elected to the 
United States senate in 1789, where he 
allied himself with the Anti-Federalists or 
"Republicans," as they were sometimes 
called. Although his views as to neutrality 
between France and England were directly 
opposed to those of the president, yet Wash- 
ington appointed him minister to France. 
His popularity in France was so great that 
the antagonism of England and her friends 
in this country brought about his recall. He 
then became governor of Virginia. He was 
sent as envoy to France in 1802; minister 
to England in 1803; and envoy to Spam in 
1805. The next year he returned to his 
estate in Virginia, and with an ample in- 
heritance enjoyed a few years of repose. He 
was again called to be governor of Virginia, 
and was then appointed secretary of state 
by President Madison. The war with Eng- 
land soon resulted, and when the capital 
was burned by the British, Mr. Monroe be- 
came secretary of war also, and planned the 
measures for the defense of New Orleans. 



The treasury being exhausted and credit 
gone, he pledged his own estate, and thereby 
made possible the victory of Jackson at New 
Orleans. 

In 18 17 Mr. Monroe became president 
of the United States, having been a candi- 
date of the "Republican" party, which at 
that time had begun to be called the ' ' Demo- 
cratic " party. In 1820 he was re-elected, 
having two hundred and thirty-one electoral 
votes out of two hundred and thirty-two. 
His administration is known as the "Era of 
good-feeling," and party lines were almost 
wiped out. The slavery question began to 
assume importance at this time, and the 
Missouri Compromise was passed. The 
famous "Monroe Doctrine" originated in a 
great state paper of President Monroe upon 
the rumored interference of the Holy Alli- 
ance to prevent the formation of free repub- 
lics in South America. President Monroe 
acknowledged their independence, and pro- 
mulgated his great "Doctrine," which has 
been held in reverence since. Mr. Monroe's 
death occurred in New York on July 4, 1831. 



THOMAS ALVA EDISON, the master 
wizard of electrical science and whose 
name is synonymous with the subjugation 
of electricity to the service of man, was 
born in 1847 at Milan, Ohio, and it was at 
Port Huron, Michigan, whither his parents 
had moved in 1854, that his self-educa-tion 
began — for he never attended school for 
more than two months. He eagerly de- 
voured every book he could lay his hands on 
and is said to have read through an encyclo- 
pedia without missing a word. At thirteen he 
began his working life as a trainboy upon the 
Grand Trunk Railway between Port Huron 
and Detroit. Much of his time was now 
spent in Detroit, where he found increased 
facilities for reading at the public libraries. 



56 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 



He was not content to be a newsboy, so he 
got rogetner three hundred pounds of type 
and started the issue of the " Grand Trunk 
Herald." It was only a small amateur 
weekly, printed on one side, the impression 
being made from the type by hand. Chemi- 
cal research was his next undertaking and 
a laboratory was added to his movable pub- 
lishing house, which, by the waj', was an 
old freight car. One day, however, as he 
was experimenting with some phosphorus, 
it ignited and the irate conductor threw the 
young seeker after the truth, chemicals and 
all, from the train. His office and laboratory 
were then removed to the cellar of his fa- 
ther's house. As he grew to manhood he 
decided to become an operator. He won 
his opportunity by saving the life of a child, 
whose father was an old operator, and out of 
gratitude he gave Mr. Edison lessons in teleg- 
raphy. Five months later he was compe- 
tent to fill a position in the railroad office 
at Port Huron. Hence he peregrinated to 
Stratford, Ontario, and thence successively 
to Adrian, Fort Wayne, Indianapolis, Cin- 
cmnati, Memphis, Louisville and Boston, 
gradually becoming an expert operator and 
gaming experience that enabled him to 
evolve many ingenious ideas for the im- 
provement of telegraphic appliances. At 
Memphis he constructed an automatic re- 
peater, which enabled Louisville and New 
Orleans to communicate direct, and received 
nothing more than the thanks of his em- 
ployers. Mr. Edison came to New York in 
1870 in search of an opening more suitable 
to his capabilities and ambitions. He hap- 
pened to be in the office of the Laws Gold 
Reporting Company when one of the in- 
struments got out of order, and even the 
inventor of the system could not make it 
work. Edison requested to be allowed to 
attempt the task, and in a few minutes he 



had overcome the difficult}' and secured an 
advantageous engagement. For several 
years he had a contract with the Western 
Union and the Gold Stock companies, 
whereby he received a large salary, besides 
a special price for all telegraphic improve- 
ments he could suggest. Later, as the 
head of the Edison General Electric com- 
pany, with its numerous subordinate organ- 
izations and connections all over the civil- 
ized world, he became several times a 
millionaire. Mr. Edison invented the pho- 
nograph and kinetograph which bear his 
name, the carbon telephone, the tasimeter, 
and the duplex and quadruplex systems of 
telegraphy. 

JAMES LONGSTREET, one of the most 
conspicuous of the Confederate generals 
during the Civil war, was born in 1820, in 
South Carolina, but was early taken by his 
parents to Alabama where he grew to man- 
hood and received his early education. He 
graduated at the United States military 
academy in 1842, entering the army as 
lieutenant and spent a few years in the fron- 
tier service. When the Mexican war broke 
out he was called to the front and partici- 
pated in all the principal battles of that war 
up to the storming of Chapultepec, where 
he received severe wounds. For gallant 
conduct at Contreras, Cherubusco, and Mo- 
lino del Rey he received the brevets of cap- 
tain and major. After the close of the 
Mexican war Longstreet served as adjutant 
and captain on frontier service in Texas un- 
til 1858 when he was transferred to the staff 
as paymaster with rank of major. In June, 
1 86 1, he resigned to join the Confederacy 
and immediately went to the front, com- 
manding a brigade at Bull Run the follow- 
ing month. Promoted to be major-general 
in 1862 he thereafter bore a conspicuous 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 



5< 



part and rendered valuable service to the 
Confederate cause. He participated in 
many of the most severe battles of the Civil 
war including Bull Run (first and second), 
Seven Pines, Gaines' Mill, Fraziers Farm, 
Malvern Hill, Antietam, Frederickburg, 
Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Chickamauga, 
the Wilderness, Petersburg and most of the 
fighting about Richmond. 

When the war closed General Long- 
street accepted the result, renewed his alle- 
giance to the government, and thereafter 
labored earnestly to obliterate all traces of 
war and promote an era of good feeling be- 
tween all sections of the country. He took 
up his residence in New Orleans, and took 
an active interest and prominent part in 
public affairs, served as surveyor of that 
port for several years; was commissioner of 
engineers for Louisiana, served four years 
as school commissioner, etc. In 1875 he 
was appointed supervisor of internal revenue 
and settled in Georgia. After that time he 
served four years as United States minister 
to Turkey, and also for a number of years 
was United States marshal of Georgia, be- 
sides having held other important official 
positions. 

JOHN RUTLEDGE, the second chief- 
justice of the United States, was born 
at Charleston, South Carolina, in 1739. 
He was a son of John Rutledge, who had 
left Ireland for America about five years 
prior to the birth -of our subject, and a 
brother of Edward Rutledge, a signer of the 
Declaration of Independence. John Rut- 
ledge received his legal education at the 
Temple, London, after which he returned 
to Charleston and soon won distinction at 
the bar. He was elected to the old Colonial 
congress in 1765 to protest against the 
"Stamp Act," and was a member of the 



South Carolina convention of 1774, and of 
the Continental congress of that and the 
succeeding year. In 1776 he was chairman 
of the committee that draughted the con- 
stitution of his state, and was president of 
the congress of that state. He was not 
pleased with the state constitution, how- 
ever, and resigned. In 1779 he was again 
chosen governor of the state, and granted 
extraordinary powers, and he at once took 
the field to repel the British. He joined 
the army of General Gates in 1782, and the 
same year was elected to congress. He 
was a member of the constitutional con- 
vention which framed our present constitu- 
tion. In 1789 he was appointed an associate 
justice of the first supreme court of the 
United States. He resigned to accept the 
position of chief-justice of his own state. 
Upon the resignation of Judge Jay, he was 
appointed chief-justice of' the United States 
in 1795. The appointment was never con- 
firmed, for, after presiding at one session, 
his mind became deranged, and he was suc- 
ceeded by Judge Ellsworth. He died at 
Charleston, July 23, 1800. 



RALPH WALDO EMERSON was one 
of the most noted literary men of his 
time. He was born in Boston, Massachu- 
setts, May 25, 1803. He had a minister for 
an ancestor, either on the paternal or ma- 
ternal side, in every generation for eight 
generations back. His father. Rev. Will- 
iam Emerson, was a native of Concord, 
Massachusetts, born May 6, 1769, graduated 
at Harvard, in 1789, became a Unitarian 
minister; was a fine writer and one of the 
best orators of his day; died in 181 1. 

Ralph Waldo Emerson was fitted for 
college at the public schools of Boston, and 
graduated at Harvard College in 1821, win- 
ning about this time several prizes for es- 



53 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHl'. 



says. For five years he taught school in 
Boston; in 1826 was licensed to preach, and 
in 1829 was ordained as a colleague to Rev. 
Henry Ware of the Second Unitarian church 
in Boston. In 1832 he resigned, making 
the announcement in a sermon of his un- 
tvillingness longer to administer the rite of 
»he Lord's Supper, after which he spent 
about a year in Europe. Upon his return 
he began his career as a lecturer before the 
Boston Mechanics Institute, his subject be- 
ing "Water." His early lectures on " Italy" 
and "Relation of Man to the Globe" also 
attracted considerable attention; as did also 
his biographical lectures on Michael Angelo, 
Milton, Luther, George Fox, and Edmund 
Burke. After that time he gave many 
courses of lectures in Boston and became 
one of the best known lecturers in America. 
But very few men have rendered such con- 
tinued service in this field. He lectured for 
forty successive seasons before the Salem, 
Massachusetts, Lyceum and also made re- 
peated lecturing tours in this country and in 
England. In 1835 Mr. Emerson took- up 
his residence at Concord, Massachusetts, 
where he continued to make his home until 
his death which occurred April 27, 1882. 

Mr. Emerson's literary work covered a 
wide scope. He wrote and published many 
works, essays and poems, which rank high 
among the works of American literary men. 
A few of the many which he produced are 
the following: "Nature;" "The Method 
ofNature;" " Man Thinking;" "The Dial;" 
"Essays;" "Poems;" "English Traits;" 
"The Conduct of Life;" "May-Day and 
other Poems " and " Society and Solitude;" 
besides many others. He was a prominent 
member of the American Academy of Arts 
and Sciences, of the American Philosophical 
Society, the Massachusetts Historical Society 
and other kindred associations. 



ALEXANDER T. STEWART, one of 
the famous merchant princes of New 
York, was born near the city of Belfast, Ire- 
land, in 1803, and before he was eight years 
of age was left an orphan without any near 
relatives, save an aged grandfather. The 
grandfather being a pious Methodist wanted 
to make a minister of young Stewart, and 
accordingly put him in a school with that 
end in view and he graduated at Trinity Col- 
lege, in Dublin. When scarcely twenty 
years of age he came to New York. His 
first employment was that of a teacher, but 
accident soon made him a merchant. En- 
tering into business relations with an ex- 
perienced man of his acquaintance he soon 
found himself with the rent of a store on 
his hands and alone in a new enterprise. 
Mr. Stewart's business grew rapidly in all 
directions, but its founder had executive 
ability sufficient for any and all emergencies, 
and in time his house became one of the 
greatest mercantile establishments of mod- 
ern times, and the name of Stewart famous. 
Mr. Stewart's death occurred April 10, 
1876. 

JAMES FENIMORE COOPER. — In 
speaking of this noted American nov- 
elist, William Cullen Bryant said: " He 
wrote for mankind at large, hence it is that 
he has earned a fame wider than anj' Amer- 
ican author of modern times. The crea- 
tions of his genius shall survive through 
centuries to come, and only perish with our 
language." Another eminent writer (Pres- 
cott) said of Cooper: " In his productions 
every American must take an honest pride; 
for surely no one has succeeded like Coojjer 
in the portraiture of American character, or 
has given such glowing and eminently truth- 
ful pictures of American scenery." 

James Fenimore Cooper was born Sep- 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 



59 



tember 15, 1789, at Burlington, New Jer- 
sey, and was a son of Judge William Cooper. 
About a year after the birth of our subject 
the family removed to Otsego county. New 
York, and founded the town called " Coop- 
erstown." James Fenimore Cooper spent 
his childhood there and in 1802 entered 
Yale College, and four years later became a 
midshipman in the United States navy. In 
181 1 he was married, quit the seafaring life, 
and began devoting more or less time to lit- 
erary pursuits. His first work was "Pre- 
caution," a novel published in 18 19, and 
three years later he produced "The Spy, a 
Tale of Neutral Ground," which met with 
great favor and was a universal success. 
This was followed by many other works, 
among which may be mentioned the follow- 
ing: " The Pioneers," "The Pilot," " Last 
of the Mohicans," "The Prairie," "The 
Red Rover," "The Manikins," "Home- 
ward Bound," "Home as Found," " History 
of the United States Navy," "The Path- 
finder," "Wing and Wing," "Afloat and 
Ashore," "The Chain- Bearer, " "Oak- 
Openings," etc. J. Fenimore Cooper died 
at Cooperstown, New York, September 14, 
1851. 



M 



ARSHALL FIELD, one of the mer- 
chant princes of America, ranks among 
the most successful business men of the cen- 
tury. He was born in 1835 at Conway, 
Massachusetts. He spent his early life on 
a farm and secured a fair education in the 
common schools, supplementing this with a 
course at the Conway Academy. His 
natural bent ran in the channels of commer- 
cial life, and at the age of seventeen he was 
given a position in a store at Pittsfield, 
Massachusetts. Mr. Field remained there 
four years and removed to Chicago in 1856. 
He began his career in Chicago as a clerk 



in the wholesale dry goods house of Cooley, 
Wadsworth & Company, which later be- 
came Cooley, Farwell & Company, and still 
later John V. Farwell & Company. He 
remained with them four years and exhibit- 
ed marked ability, in recognition of which 
he was given a partnership. In 1865 Mr. 
Field and L. Z. Leiter, who was also a 
member of the firm, withdrew and formed 
the firm of Field, Palmer & Leiter, the 
third partner being Potter Palmer, and they 
continued in business until 1867, when Mr. 
Palmer retired and the firm became Field, 
Leiter & Company. They ran under the 
latter name until 1881, when Mr. Leiter re- 
tired and the house has since continued un- 
der the name of Marshall Field & Company. 
The phenomenal success accredited to the 
house is largely due to the marked ability 
of Mr. Field, the house had become one of 
the foremost in the west, with an annual 
sale of $8,000,000 in 1870. The total loss 
of the firm during the Chicago fire was 
$3,500,000 of which $2,500,000 was re- 
covered through the insurance companies. 
It rapidly recovered from the effects of this 
and to-day the annual sales amount to over 
$40,000,000. Mr. Field's real estate hold- 
ings amounted to $10,000,000. He was 
one of the heaviest subscribers to the Bap- 
tist University fund although he is a Presby- 
terian, and gave $1,000,000 for the endow- 
ment of the Field Columbian Museum — 
one of the greatest institutions of the kind 
in the world. 

EDGAR WILSON NYE, who won an im- 
mense popularity under the pen name 
of " Bill Nye," was one of the most eccen- 
tric humorists of his day. He was born Au- 
gust 25, 1850, at Shirley, Piscataqua coun- 
ty, Maine, "at a very early age" as he ex- 
presses it. He took an academic course in 



60 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 



River Falls, Wisconsin, from whence, after 
his graduation, he removed to Wyoming 
Territory. He studied law and was ad- 
mitted to the bar in 1876. He began when 
quite young to contribute humorous sketches 
to the newspapers, became connected with 
various western journals and achieved a 
brilliant success as a humorist. Mr. Nye 
settled later in New York City where he 
devoted his time to writing funny articles for 
the big newspaper syndicates. He wrote for 
publication in book form the following : 
"Bill Nye and the Boomerang," "The 
Forty Liars," "Baled Hay," "Bill Nye's 
Blossom Rock," "Remarks," etc. His 
death occurred February 21, 1896, at Ashe- 
ville, North Carolina. 



THOMAS DE WITT TALMAGE, one of 
the most celebrated American preach- 
ers, was born January 7, 1832, and was the 
youngest of twelve children. He made his 
preliminary studies at the grammar school 
in New Brunswick, New Jersey. At the age 
of eighteen he joined the church and entered 
the University of the City of New York, and 
graduated in May, 1853. The exercises 
were held in Niblo's Garden and his speech 
aroused the audience to a high pitch of en- 
thusiasm. At the close of his college duties 
he imagined himself interested in the law 
and for three years studied law. Dr. Tal- 
mage then perceived his mistake and pre- 
pared himself for the ministry at the 
Reformed Dutch Church Theological Semi- 
nary at New Brunswick, New Jersey. Just 
after his ordination the young minister re- 
ceived two calls, one from Piermont, New 
York, and the other from Belleville, New 
Jersey. Dr. Talmage accepted the latter 
and for three years filled that charge, when 
he was called to Syracuse, New York. Here 
it was that his sermons first drew large 



crowds of people to his church, and froni 
thence dates his popularity. Afterward he 
became the pastor of the Second Reformed 
Dutch church, of Philadelphia, remaining 
seven years, during which period he first 
entered upon the lecture platform and laid 
the foundation for his future reputation. At 
the end of this time he received three calls, 
one from Chicago, one from San Francisco, 
and one from the Central Presbyterian 
church of Brooklyn, which latter at that 
time consisted of only nineteen members 
with a congregation of about thirty-five. 
This church offered him a salary of seven 
thousand dollars and he accepted the call. 
He soon induced the trustees to sell the old 
church and build a new one. They did so 
and erected the Brooklyn Tabernacle, but 
it burned down shortly after it was finished. 
By prompt sympathy and general liberality 
a new church was built and formally opened 
in February, 1874. It contained seats for 
four thousand, six hundred and fifty, but if 
necessary seven thousand could be accom- 
modated. In October, 1878, his salary was 
raised from seven thousand dollars to twelve 
thousand dollars, and in the autumn of 1889 
the second tabernacle was destroyed by fire. 
A third tabernacle was built and it was for- 
mally dedicated on Easter Sunday, 1891. 

JOHN PHILIP SOUSA, conceded as 
being one of the greatest band leaders 
in the world, won his fame while leader of 
the United States Marine Band at Washing- 
ton, District of Columbia. He was not 
originally a band player but was a violinist, 
and at the age of seventeen he was conduc- 
tor of an opera company, a profession which 
he followed for several years, until he was 
offered the leadership of the Marine Band 
at Washington. The proposition was re- 
pugnant to him at first but he accepted the 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 



61 



offer and then ensued ten years of brilliant 
success with that organization. When he 
first took the Marine Band he began to 
gather the national airs of all the nations 
that have representatives in Washington, 
and compiled a comprehensive volume in- 
cluding nearly all the national songs of the 
different nations. He composed a number 
of marches, waltzes and two-steps, promi- 
nent among which are the "Washington 
Post," "Directorate," "King Cotton," 
"High School Cadets," "Belle of Chica- 
go," "Liberty Bell March," "Manhattan 
Beach," "On Parade March," " Thunderer 
March," "Gladiator March," " El Capitan 
March," etc. He became a very extensive 
composer of this class of music. 



JOHN QUINCY ADAMS, sixth president 
of the United States, was born in 
Braintree, Massachusetts, July ii, 1767, 
the son of John Adams. At the age of 
eleven he was sent to school at Paris, and 
two years later to Leyden, where he entered 
that great university. He returned to the 
United States in 1785, and graduated from 
Harvard in 1788. He then studied law, 
and was admitted to the bar in 1791. His 
practice brought no income the first two 
years, but he won distinction in literary 
fields, and was appointed minister to The 
Hague in 1794. He married in 1797, and 
went as minister to Berlin the same year, 
serving until 1801, when Jefferson became 
president. He was elected to the senate in 
1803 by the Federalists, but was condemned 
by that party for advocating the Embargo 
Act and other Anti-Federalist measures. He 
was appointed as professor of rhetoric at 
Harvard in 1805, and in 1809 was sent as 
minister to Russia. He assisted in negotiat- 
ing the treaty of peace with England in 
1814, and became minister to that power 



the next year. He served during Monroe's 
administration two terms as secretary of 
state, during which time party lines were 
obliterated, and in 1824 four candidates for 
president appeared, all of whom were iden- 
tified to some extent with the new " Demo- 
cratic" party. Mr. Adams received 84 elec- 
toral votes, Jackson 99, Crawford 41, and 
Clay 37. As no candidate had a majority 
of all votes, the election went to the house 
of representatives, which elected Mr. Adams. 
As Clay had thrown his influence to Mr. 
Adams, Clay became secretary of state, and 
this caused bitter feeling on the part of the 
Jackson Democrats, who were joined by 
Mr. Crawford and his following, and op- 
posed every measure of the administration. 
In the election of 1828 Jackson was elected 
over Mr. Adams by a great majority. 

Mr. Adams entered the lower house of 
congress in 1830, elected from the district 
in which he was born and continued to rep- 
resent it for seventeen years. He was 
known as " the old man eloquent," and his 
work in congress was independent of party. 
He opposed slavery extension and insisted 
upon presenting to congress, one at a time, 
the hundreds of petitions against the slave 
power. One of these petitions, presented in 
1842, was signed by forty-five citizens of 
Massachusetts, and prayed congress for a 
peaceful dissolution of the Union. His 
enemies seized upon this as an opportunity 
to crush their powerful foe, and in a caucus 
meeting determined upon his expulsion from 
congress. Finding they would not be able 
to command enough votes for this, they de- 
cided upon a course that would bring equal 
disgrace. They formulated a resolution to 
the effect that while he merited expulsion, 
the house would, in great mercy, substitute 
its severest censure. When it was read in the 
house the old man, then in his seventy-fifth 



62 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 



year, arose and demanded that the first para- 
graph of the Declaration of Independence 
be read as his defense. It embraced the 
famous sentence, "that whenever any form 
of government becomes destructive to those 
ends, it is the right of the people to alter or 
abolish it, and to institute new government, 
etc., etc." After eleven days of hard fight- 
ing his opponents were defeated. On Febru- 
ary 21, 1S48, he rose to address the speaker 
on the Oregon question, when he suddenly 
fell from a stroke of paralysis. He died 
soon after in the rotunda of the capitol, 
where he had been conveyed by his col- 
leagues. 

SUSAN B. ANTHONY was one of the 
most famous women of America. She 
was born at South Adams, Massachusetts, 
February 15, 1820, the daughter of a 
Quaker. She received a good education 
and became a school teacher, following that 
profession for fifteen years in New York. 
Beginning with about 1852 she became the 
active leader of the woman's rights move- 
ment and won a wide ^reputation for her 
zeal and ability. She also distinguished 
herself for her zeal and eloquence in the 
temperance and anti-slavery causes, and 
became a conspicuous figure during the war. 
After the close of the war she gave most of 
her labors to the cause of woman's suffrage. 



PHILIP D. ARMOUR, one of the most 
conspicuous figures in the mercantile 
history of America, was born May 16, 1832, 
on a farm at Stockbridge, Madison county. 
New York, and received his early education 
in the common schools of that county. He 
was apprenticed to a farmer and worked 
faithfully and well, being very ambitious and 
desiring to start out for himself. At the 
age of twenty he secured a release from his 



indentures and set out overland for the 
gold fields of California. After a great 
deal of hard work he accumulated a little 
money and then came east and settled 
in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He went into 
the grain receiving and warehouse busi- 
ness and was fairly successful, and later on 
he formed a partnership with John Plankin- 
ton in the pork packing line, the style of the 
firm being Plankinton & Armour. Mr. Ar- 
mour made his first great '-'deal" in selling 
pork "short " on the New York market in 
the anticipation of the fall of the Confed- 
eracy, and Mr. Armour is said to have made 
through this deal a million dollars. He then 
established packing houses in Chicago and 
Kansas City, and in 1875 he removed to 
Chicago. He increased his business by add- 
ing to it the shipment of dressed beef to 
the European markets, and many other lines 
of trade and manufacturing, and it rapidly 
assumed vast proportions, employing an 
army of men in different lines of the busi- 
ness. Mr. Armour successfully conducted a 
great many speculative deals in pork and 
grain of immense proportions and also erected 
many large warehouses for the storage of 
graip. He became one of the representative 
business men of Chicago, where he became 
closely identified with all enterprises of a 
public nature, but his fame as a. great busi- 
ness man e.xtended to all parts of the world. 
He founded the "Armour Institute " at Chi- 
cago and also contributed largely to benevo- 
lent and charitable institutions. 



ROBERT FULTON.— Although Fulton 
is best known as the inventor of the 
first successful steamboat, yet his claims to 
distinction do not rest alone upon that, for 
he was an inventor along other lines, a 
painter and an author. He was born at 
Little Britain, Lancaster county, Pennsyl 



COMPENDIUM Oi^ BIOGRAPHY 



65 



vania, in 1765, of Scotch-Irish ancestry. 
At the age of seventeen he removed to Phila- 
delphia, and there and in New York en- 
gaged in miniature painting with success 
both from a pecuniary and artistic point of 
view. With the results of his labors he pur- 
chased a farm for the support of his mother. 
He went to London and studied under the 
great painter, Benjamin West, and all 
through life retained his fondness for art 
and gave evidence of much ability in that 
line. While in England he was brought in 
contact with the Duke of Bridgewater, the 
father of the English canal system; Lord 
Stanhope, an eminent mechanician, and 
James Watt, the inventor of the steam, en- 
gine. Their influence turned his mind to its 
true field of labor, that of mechanical in- 
vention. Machines for flax spinning, 
marble sawing, rope making, and for remov- 
ing earth from excavations, are among his 
earliest ventures. His "Treatise on the 
Improvement of Canal Navigation," issued 
in 1796, and a series of essays on canals 
were soon followed by an English patent 
for canal improvements. In 1797 he went 
to Paris, where he resided until 1806, and 
there invented a submarine torpedo boat for 
maritime defense, but which was rejected 
by the governments of France, England and 
the United States. In 1803 he offered to con- 
struct for the Emperor Napoleon a steam- 
boat that would assist in carrying out the 
plan of invading Great Britain then medi- 
tated by that great captain. In pursuance 
he constructed his first steamboat on the 
Seine, but it did not prove a full success 
and the idea was abandoned by the French 
government. By the aid of Livingston, 
then United States minister to France, 
Fulton purchased, in 1806, an engine which 
he brought to this country. After studying 

the defects of his own and other attempts in 

4 



this line he built and launched in i8o7 the 
Clermont, the first successful steamboat 
This craft only attained a speed of tiv'.^ 
miles an hour while going up North river. 
His first patent not fully covering his in- 
vention, Fulton was engaged in many law 
suits for infringement. He constructed 
many steamboats, ferryboats, etc., among 
these being the United States steamer 
" Fulton the First," built in 18 14, the first 
war steamer ever built. This craft never 
attained any great speed owing to some de- 
fects in construction and accidentally blew 
up in 1829. Fulton died in New York, Feb- 
ruary 21, 181 5. 



SALMON PORTLAND CHASE, sixth 
chief-justice of the United States, and 
one of the most eminent of American jurists, 
was born in Cornish, New Hampshire, Jan- 
uary 13, 1808. At the age of nine he was 
left in poverty by the death of his father, 
but means were found to educate him. He 
WIS sent to his uncle, a bishop, who con- 
ducted an academy near Columbus, Ohio, 
and here young Chase worked on the farm 
and attended school. At the age of fifteen 
he returned to his native state and entered 
Dartmouth College, from which he gradu- 
ated in 1 826. He then went to Washington, 
and engaged in teaching school, and study- 
ing law under the instruction of William 
Wirt. He was licensed to practice in 1829, 
and went to Cincinnati, where he had a 
hard struggle for several years following. 
He had in the meantime prepared notes on 
the statutes of Ohio, which, when published, 
brought him into prominence locally. He 
was soon after appointed solicitor of the 
United States Bank. In 1837 he appeared 
as counsel for a fugitive slave woman, Ma- 
tilda, and sought by all the powers of his 
learning and eloquence to prevent her owner 



m 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 



from reclaiming her. He acted in many 
other cases, and devolved the trite expres- 
sion, "Slavery is sectional, freedom is na- 
tional. " He was employed to defend Van 
Zandt before the supreme court of the United 
States in 1846, which was one of the most 
noted cases connected with the great strug- 
gle against slavery. By this time Mr. Chase 
had become the recognized leader of that 
element known as " free-soilers." He was 
elected to the United States senate in 1849, 
and was chosen governor of Ohio in 1855 
and re-elected in 1857. He was chosen to 
the United States senate from Ohio in 1861, 
but was made secretary of the treasury by 
Lincoln and accepted. He inaugurated a 
financial system to replenish the exhausted 
treasury and meet the demands of the great- 
est war in history and at the same time to 
revive the industries of the country. One 
of the measures which afterward called for 
his judicial attention was the issuance of 
currency notes which were made a legal 
tender in payment of debts. When this 
question came before him as chief-justice 
of the United States he reversed his former 
action and declared the measure unconstitu- 
tional. The national banking system, by 
which all notes issued were to be based on 
funded government bonds of equal or greater 
amounts, had its direct origin with Mr. Chase. 
Mr. Chase resigned the treasury port- 
folio in 1864, and was appointed the same 
year as chief-justice of the United States 
supreme court. The great questions that 
came up before him at this crisis in the life 
of the nation were no less than those which 
confronted the first chief-justice at the for- 
mation of our government. Reconstruction, 
private, state and national interests, the 
constitutionality of the acts of congress 
passed in times of great excitement, the 
construction and interpretation to be placed 



upon the several amendments to the national 
constitution, — these were among the vital 
questions requiring prompt decision. He 
received a paralytic stroke in 1870, which 
impaired his health, though his mental 
powers were not affected. He continued to 
preside at the opening terms for two years 
following and died May 7, 1873. 



HARRIET ELIZABETH BEECHER 
STOWE, a celebrated American writ- 
er, was born June 14, 1812, at Litchfield, 
Connecticut. She was a daughter of Lyman 
Beecher and a sister of Henry Ward Beecher, 
tvv'o noted divines; was carefully educated, 
and taught school for several years at Hart- 
ford, Connecticut. In 1832 Miss Beecher 
married Professor Stowe, then of Lane Semi- 
nary, Cincinnati, Ohio, and afterwards at 
Bowdoin College and Andover Seminary. 
Mrs. Stowe published in 1849 "The May- 
flower, or sketches of the descendants of the 
Pilgrims," and in 1851 commenced in the 
' ' National Era " of Washington, a serial story 
which was published separately in 1852 under 
the title of "Uncle Tom's Cabin." This 
book attained almost unparalleled success 
both at home and abroad, and within ten years 
it had been translated in almost every lan- 
guage of the civilized world. Mrs. Stowe pub- 
lished in 1853 a "Keyto Uncle Tom's Cabin" 
in which the data that she used was published 
and its truthfulness was corroborated. In 
1853 she accompanied her husband and 
brother to Europe, and on her return pub- 
lished ' ' Sunny Memories of Foreign Lands " 
in 1854. Mrs. Stowe was for some time 
one of the editors of the ' ' Atlantic Monthly " 
and the " Hearth and Home," for which 
she had written a number of articles. 
Among these, also published separately, are 
" Dred, a tale of the Great Dismal Swamp " 
(later published under the title of "Nina 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 



67 



Gordon"); "The Minister's Wooing;" "The 
Pearl of Orr's Island;" "Agnes of Sorrento;" 
"Oldtown Folks;" " My Wife and I;" "Bible 
Heroines," and "A Dog's Mission." Mrs. 
Stowe's death occurred July i, 1896, at 
Hartford, Connecticut. 



THOMAS JONATHAN JACKSON, bet- 
ter known as "Stonewall" Jackson, 
was one of the most noted of the Confeder- 
ate generals of the Civil war. He was a 
soldier by nature, an incomparable lieuten- 
ant, sure to execute any operation entrusted 
to him with marvellous precision, judgment 
and courage, and all his individual cam- 
paigns and combats bore the stamp of a 
masterly capacity for war. He was born 
January 21, 1824, at Clarksburg, Harrison 
county, West Virginia. He was early in 
life imbued with the desire to be a soldier 
and it is said walked from the mountains of 
Virginia to Washington, secured the aid of 
his congressman, and was appointed cadet 
at the United States Military Academy at 
West Point from which he was graduated in 

1846. Attached to the army as brevet sec- 
ond lieutenant of the First Artillery, his first 
service was as a subaltern with Magruder's 
battery of light artillery in the Mexican war. 
He participated at the reduction of Vera 
Cruz, and was noticed for gallantry in the 
battles of Cerro Gordo, Contreras, Moline 
del Rey, Chapultepec, and the capture of 
the city of Mexico, receiving the brevets of 
captain for conduct at Contreras and Cher- 
ubusco and of major at Chapultepec. In 
the meantime he had been advanced by 
regular promotion to be first lieutenant in 

1847. In 1852, the war having closed, he 
resigned and became professor of natural 
and experimental philosophy and artillery 
instructor at the Virginia State Military 
Institute at Lexington, Virginia, where he 



remained until Virginia declared for seces- 
sion, he becoming chiefly noted for intense 
religious sentiment coupled with personal 
eccentricities. Upon the breaking ont n( 
the war he was made colonel and placed in 
command of a force sent to sieze Harper's 
Ferry, which he accomplished May 3, 1861. 
Relieved by General J. E. Johnston, May 
23, he took command of the brigade of 
Valley Virginians, whom he moulded into 
that brave corps, baptized at the first 
Manassas, and ever after famous as the 
" Stonewall Brigade." After this " Stone- 
wall " Jackson was made a major-general, 
in 1 861, and participated until his death in 
all the famous campaigns about Richmond 
and in Virginia, and was a conspicuous fig- 
ure in the memorable battles of that time. 
May 2, 1863, at Chancellorsville, he was 
wounded severely by his own troops, two 
balls shattering his left arm and another 
passing through the palm of his right hand. 
The left arm was amputated, but pneumonia 
intervened, and, weakened by the great loss 
of blood, he died May 10, 1863. The more 
his operations in the Shenandoah valley in 
1S62 are studied the more striking must the 
merits of this great soldier appear. 



JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER.— 
U Near to the heart of the people of the 
Anglo-Saxon race will ever lie the verses of 
this, the "Quaker Poet." The author of 
"Barclay of Ury," "Maud Muller" and 
"Barbara Frietchie," always pure, fervid 
and direct, will be remembered when many 
a more ambitious writer has been forgotten. 
John G. Whittier was born at Haver- 
hill, Massachusetts, December 7, 1807, of 
Quaker parentage. He had but a common- 
school education and passed his boyhood 
days upon a farm. In early life he learned 
the trade of shoemaker. At the age of 



68 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 



eighteen he began to write verses for the 
Haverhill " Gazette." He spent two years 
after that at the Haverhill academy, after 
which, in 1829, he became editor of the 
"American Manufacturer," at Boston. In 
1830 he succeeded George D. Prentice as 
editor of the "New England Weekly Re- 
view," but the following year returned to 
Haverhill and engaged in farming. In 1832 
and in 1836 he edited the "Gazette." In 
1835 he was elected a member of the legis- 
lature, serving two years. In 1 836 he became 
secretary of the Anti-slavery Society of Phil- 
adelphia. In 1838 and 1839 he edited the 
" Pennsylvania Freeman," but in the latter 
year the office was sacked and burned by a 
mob. In i84oWhittier settled at Ames- 
bury, Massachusetts. In 1847 he became 
corresponding editor of the " National Era," 
an anti-slavery paper published at Washing- 
ton, and contributed to its columns many of 
his anti-slavery and other favorite lyrics. 
Mr. Whittier lived for many years in retire- 
ment of Quaker simplicity, publishing several 
volumes of poetry which have raised him to 
a high place among American authors and 
brought to him the love and admiration of 
his countrymen. In the electoral colleges 
of i860 and 1864 Whittier v/as a member. 
Much of his time after i8y6 was spent at 
Oak Knoll, Danvers, Massachusetts, but 
still retained his residence at Amesbury. 
He never married. His death occurred Sep- 
tember 7, 1892. 

The more prominent prose writings of 
John G. Whittier are as fallows: "Legends 
of New England," " Justice and Expediency, 
or Slavery Considered with a View to Its Abo- 
htion," " The Stranger in Lowell," "Super- 
naturalism in New England," " Leaves from 
Margaret Smith's Journal," " Old Portraits 
and Modern Sketches" and "Literary 
Sketches." 



DAVID DIXON PORTER, illustrious as 
admiral of the United States navy, and 
famous as one of the most able naval offi- 
cers of America, was born in Pennsylvania, 
June 8, 1814. His father was also a naval 
officer of distinction, who left the service of 
the United States to become commander of 
the naval forces of Mexico during the war 
between that country and Spain, and 
through this fact David Dixon Porter was 
appointed a midshipman in the Mexican 
navy. Two years later David D. Porter 
joined the United States navy as midship- 
man, rose in rank and eighteen years later 
as a lieutenant he is found actively engaged 
in all the operations of our navy along the 
east coast of Mexico. When the Civil war 
broke out Porter, then a commander, was 
dispatched in the Powhattan to the relief of 
Fort Pickens, Florida. This duty accom- 
plished, he fitted out a mortar flotilla for 
the reduction of the forts guarding the ap- 
proaches to New Orleans, which it was con- 
sidered of vital importance for the govern- 
ment to get possession of. After the fall of 
New Orleans the mortar flotilla was actively 
engaged at Vicksburg, and in the fall of 
1862 Porter was made a rear-admiral and 
placed in command of all the naval forces 
on the western rivers above New Orleans. 
The ability of the man was now con- 
spicuously manifested, not only in the bat- 
tles in which he was engaged, but also in 
the creation of a formidable fleet out of 
river steamboats, which he covered with 
such plating as they would bear. In 1864 
he was transferred to the Atlantic coast to 
command the naval forces destined to oper- 
ate against the defences of Wilmington, 
North Carolina, and on Jan. 15, 1865, the 
fall of Fort Fisher was hailed by the country 
as a glorious termination of his arduous war 
service. In 1866 he was made vice-admiral 



COMPENDIUM OF BlOGRAPIir. 



6v, 



and appointed superintendent of the Naval 
Academy. On the death of Farragut, in 
1S70, he succeeded that able man as ad- 
miral of the navy. His death occurred at 
Washington, February 13, 1891. 



NATHANIEL GREENE was one of the 
best known of the distinguished gen- 
erals who led the Continental soldiery 
against the hosts of Great Britain during 
the Revolutionary war. He was the son 
of Quaker parents, and was born at War- 
wick, Rhode Island, May 27, 1742. In 
youth he acquired a good education, chiefly 
by his own efforts, as he was a tireless 
reader. In 1770 he was elected a member 
of the Assembly of his native state. The 
news of the battle of Lexington stirred 
his blood, and he offered his services to 
the government of the colonies, receiving 
the rank of brigadier-general and the com- 
mand of the troops from Rhode Island. 
He led them to the camp at Cambridge, 
and for thus violating the tenets of their 
faith, he was cast out of the Society of 
Friends, or Quakers. He soon won the es- 
teem of General Washington. In August, 

1776, Congress promoted Greene to the 
rank of major-general, and in the battles of 
Trenton and Princeton he led a division. 
At the battle of Brandy wine, September 11, 

1777, he greatly distinguished himself, pro- 
tecting the retreat of the Continentals by 
his firm stand. At the battle of German- 
town, October 4, the same year, he com- 
manded the left wing of the army with 
credit. In March, 1778, he reluctantly ac- 
cepted the office of quartermaster-general, 
but only with the understanding that his 
rank in the army would not be affected and 
that in action he should retain his command. 
On the bloody field of Monmouth, June 28, 

1778, he commanded the right wing, as he 



did at the battle of Tiverton Heights. He 
was in command of the army in 1780, dur- 
ing the absence of Washington, and was 
president of the court-martial that tried and 
condemned Major Andre. After General 
Gates' defeat at Camden, North Carolina, in 
the summer of 1780, General Greene was ap- 
pointed to the command of the southern army. 
He sent out a force under General Morgan 
who defeated General Tarleton at Cowpens, 
January 17, 1781. On joining his lieuten- 
ant, in February, he found himself out num- 
bered by the British and retreated in good 
order to Virginia, but being reinforced re- 
turned to North Carolina where he fought 
the battle of Guilford, and a few days later 
compelled the retreat of Lord Cornwallis. 
The British were followed by Greene part 
of the way, when the American army 
marched into South Carolina. After vary- 
ing success he fought the battle of Eutaw 
Springs, September 8, 1781. For the latter 
battle and its glorious consequences, which 
virtually closed the war in the Carolinas, 
Greene received a medal from Congress and 
many valuable grants of land from the 
colonies of North and South Carolina and 
Georgia. On the return of peace, after a 
year spent in Rhode Island, General Greene 
took up his residence on his estate near 
Savannah, Georgia, where he died June 19, 
1786. 

EDGAR ALLEN POE.— Among the 
many great literary men whom this 
country has produced, there is perhaps no 
name more widely known than that of Ed- 
gar Allen Poe. He was born at Boston, 
Massachusetts, February 19, 1809. His 
parents were David and Elii^abeth (Arnold) 
Poe, both actors, the mother said to have 
been the natural daughter of Benedict Ar- 
nold. The parents died while Edgar was 



70 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 



still a child and he was adopted by John 
Allen, a wealthy and influential resident of 
Richmond, Virginia. Edgar was sent to 
school at Stoke, Newington, England, 
where he remained until he was thirteen 
years old; was prepared for college by pri- 
vate tutors, and in 1826 entered the Virginia 
University at Charlottesville. He made 
rapid progress in his studies, and was dis- 
tinguished for his scholarship, but was ex- 
pelled within a year for gambling, after 
which for several years he resided with his 
benefactor at Richmond. He then went to 
Baltimore, and in 1829 published a 71 -page 
pamphlet called "Al Aaraaf, Tamerlane 
and Minor Poems," which, however, at- 
tracted no attention and contained nothing 
of particular merit. In 1830 he was ad- 
mitted as a cadet at West Point, but was 
expelled about a year later for irregulari- 
ties. Returning to the home of Mr. Allen 
he remained for some time, and finally 
quarrelled with his benefactor and enlisted 
as a private soldier in the U. S. army, but 
remained only a short time. Soon after 
this, in 1833, Poe won several prizes for 
literary work, and as a result secured the 
position of editor of tohe " Southern Liter- 
ary Messenger," at Richmond, Virginia. 
Here he married his cousin, Virginia 
Clemm, who clung to him with fond devo- 
tion through all the many trials that came 
to them until her death in January, 1848. 
Poe remained with the "Messenger" for 
several years, writing meanwhile many 
tales, reviews, essays and poems. He aft- 
erward earned a precarious living by his 
pen in New York for a time; in 1839 be- 
came editor of "Burton's Gentleman's 
Magazine" ; in 1840 to 1842 was editor of 
" Graham's Magazine," and drifted around 
from one place to another, returning to 
New York in 1844. In 1845 his best 



known production, "The Raven," appeared 
in the "Whig Review, " and gained him a 
reputation which is now almost world-wide. 
He then acted as editor and contributor on 
various magazines and periodicals until the 
death of his faithful wife in 1848. In the 
summer of 1849 he was engaged to be mar- 
ried to a lady of fortune in Richmond, Vir- 
ginia, and the day set for the wedding. 
He started for New York to make prepara- 
tions for the event, but, it is said, began 
drinking, was attacked with dilirium tre- 
mens in Baltimore and was removed to a 
hospital, where he died, October 7, 1849. 
The works of Edgar Allen Poe have been 
repeatedly published since his death, both 
in Europe and America, and have attained 
an immense popularity. 



HORATIO GATES, one of the prom- 
inent figures in the American war for 
Independence, was not a native of the col- 
onies but was born in England in 1728. In 
early life he entered the British army and 
attained the rank of major. At the capture 
of Martinico he was aide to General Monk- 
ton and after the peace of Aix la Chapelle, 
in 1748, he was among the first troops that 
landed at Halifax. He was with Braddock 
at his defeat in 1755, and was there severe- 
ly wounded. At the conclusion of the 
French and Indian war Gates purchased an 
estate in Virginia, and, resigning from the 
British army, settled down to life as a 
planter. On the breaking out of the Rev- 
olutionary war he entered the service of the 
colonies and was made adjutant-general of 
the Continental forces with the rank ol 
brigadier-general. He accompanied Wash- 
ington when he assumed the command oi 
the army. In June, 1776, he was appoint- 
ed to the command of the army of Canada, 
but was superseded in May of the following 



COMPENDIUM OF DIOGRAPHT. 



n\ 



year by General Schuyler. In August, 
1777, however, the command of that army 
was restored to General Gates and Septem- 
ber 19 he fought the battle of Bemis 
Heights. October 7, the same year, he 
won the battle of Stillwater, or Saratoga, 
and October 17 received the surrender of 
General Burgoyne and his army, the pivotal 
point of the war. This gave him a brilliant 
reputation. June 13, 1780, General Gates 
was appointed to the command of the 
southern military division, and August 16 of 
that year suffered defeat at the hands of 
Lord Cornwallis, at Camden, North Car- 
olina. In December following he was 
superseded in the command by General 
Nathaniel Greene. 

On the signing of the peace treaty Gen- 
eral Gates retired to his plantation in 
Berkeley county, Virginia, where he lived 
until 1790, when, emancipating all his 
slaves, he removed to New York City, where 
he resided until his death, April 10, 1806. 



LYMAN J. GAGE.— When President Mc- 
Kinley selected Lyman J. Gage as sec- 
retary of the treasury he chose one of the 
most eminent financiers of the century. Mr. 
Gage was born June 28, 1836, at De Ruy- 
ter, Madison county. New York, and was of 
English descent. He went to Rome, New 
York, with his parents when he was ten 
years old, and received his early education 
in the Rome Academy. Mr. Gage gradu- 
ated from the same, and his first position 
was that of a clerk in the post office. When 
he was fifteen years of age he was detailed 
as mail agent on the Rome & Watertown 
R. R. until the postmaster-general appointed 
regular agents for the route. In 1854, when 
he was in his eighteenth year, he entered 
the Oneida Central Bank at Rome as a 
junior clerk at a salary of one hundred dol- 



lars per year. Being unable at the end of 
one year and a half's service to obtain an 
increase in salary he determined to seek a 
wider field of labor. Mr. Gage set out in 
the fall of 1855 and arrived in Chicago, 
Illinois, on October 3, and soon obtained a 
situation in Nathan Cobb's lumber yard and 
planing mill. He remained there three years 
as a bookkeeper, teamster, etc., and left on 
account of change in the management. But 
not being able to find anything else to do he 
accepted the position of night watchman in 
the place for a period of six weeks. He 
then became a bookkeeper for the Mer- 
chants Saving, Loan and Trust Company at 
a salary of five hundred dollars per year. 
He rapidly advanced in the service of this 
company and in 1868 he was made cashier. 
Mr. Gage was next offered the position of 
cashier of the First National Bank and ac- 
cepted the offer. He became the president 
of the First National Bank of Chicago Jan- 
uary 24, 1 89 1, and in 1897 he was appointed 
secretary of the treasury. His ability as a 
financier and the prominent part he took in 
the discussion of financial affairs while presi- 
dent of the great Chicago bank gave him a 
national reputation. 



ANDREW JACKSON, the seventh pres- 
ident of the United States, was born 
at the Waxhaw settlement, Union county, 
North Carolina, March 15, 1767. His 
parents were Scotch-Irish, natives of Carr- 
ickfergus, who came to this country in 1665 
and settled on Twelve-Mile creek, a trib- 
utary of the Catawba. His father, who 
was a poor farm laborer, died shortly be- 
fore Andrew's birth, when the mother re- 
moved to Waxhaw, where some relatives 
lived. Andrew's education was very limited, 
he showing no aptitude for study. In 1780 
when but thirteen years of age, he and his 



72 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 



brother Robert volunteered to serve in the 
American partisan troops under General 
Sumter, and witnessed the defeat at Hang- 
ing Rock. The following year the boys 
were both taken prisoners by the enemy 
and endured brutal treatment from the 
British ofBcers while confined at Camden. 
They both took the small pox, when the 
. mother procured their exchange but Robert 
died shortly after. The mother died in 
Charleston of ship fever, the same year. 

Young Jackson, now in destitute cir- 
cumstances, worked for about six months in 
a saddler's shop, and then turned school 
master, although but little fitted for the 
position. He now began to think of a pro- 
fession and at Salisbury, North Carolina, 
entered upon the study of law, but from all 
accounts gave but little attention to his 
books, being one of the most roistering, 
rollicking fellows in that town, indulging in 
many of the vices of his time. In 1786 he 
was admitted to the bar and in 1788 re- 
moved to Nashville, then in North Carolina, 
with the appointment of public prosecutor, 
then an office of little honor or emolument, 
but requiring much nerve, for which young 
Jackson was already noted. Two years 
later, when Tennessee became a territory 
he was appointed by Washington to the 
position of United States attorney for that 
district. In 1791 he married Mrs. Rachel 
Robards, a daughter of Colonel John Don- 
elson, who was supposed at the time to 
have been divorced from her former hus- 
band that year by act of legislature of Vir- 
ginia, but two years later, on finding that 
this divorce was not legal, and a new bill of 
separation being granted by the courts of 
Kentucky, they were remarried in 1793. 
This was used as a handlti by his oppo- 
nents in the political campaign afterwards. 
Jackson was untiring in his efforts as United 



States attorney and obtained much influence. 
He was chosen a member of the Constitu- 
tional Convention of 1796, when Tennessee 
became a state and was its first represent- 
ative in congress. In 1797 he was chosen 
United States senator, but resigned the fol- 
lowing year to accept a seat on the supreme 
court of Tennessee which he held until 
1804. He was elected major-general of 
the militia of that state in 1801. In 1804, 
being unsuccessful in obtaining the govern- 
orship of Louisiana, the new territory, he 
retired from public life to the Hermitage, 
his plantation. On the outbreak of the 
war with Great Britain in 1 8 1 2 he tendered 
his services to the government and went to 
New Orleans with the Tennessee troops in 
January, 181 3. In March of that year he 
was ordered to disband his troops, but later 
marched against the Cherokee Indians, de- 
feating them at Talladega, Emuckfaw 
and Tallapoosa. Having now a national 
reputation, he was appointed major-general 
in the United States army and was sent 
against the British in Florida. He con- 
ducted the defence of Mobile and seized 
Pensacola. He then went with his troops 
to New Orleans, Louisiana, where he gained 
the famous victory of January 8, 1815. In 
18/7-18 he conducted a war against the 
Seminoles, and in 1821 was made governor 
of the new territory of Florida. In 1823 
he was elected United States senator, but 
in 1824 Was the contestant with J. Q. Adams 
for the presidency. Four years later he 
was elected president, and served two terms. 
In 1832 he took vigorous action against the 
nullifiers of South Carolina, and the next 
year removed the public money from the 
United States bank. During his second 
term the national debt was extinguished. At 
the close of his administration he retired to 
the Hermitage, where he died June 8, 1845. 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 



7S 



ANDREW CARNEGIE, the largest manu- 
facturer of pig-iron, steel rails and 
coke in the world, well deserves a place 
among America's celebrated men. He was 
born November 25, 1835, at Dunfermline, 
Scotland, and emigrated to the United States 
with his father in 1845, settling in Pittsburg. 
Two years later Mr. Carnegie began his 
business career by attending a small station- 
ary engine. This work did not suit him and 
he became a telegraph messenger with the 
Atlantic and Ohio Co., and later he became 
an operator, and was one of the first to read 
telegraphic signals by sound. Mr. Carnegie 
was afterward sent to the Pittsburg office 
of the Pennsylvania Railroad Co., as clerk 
to the superintendent and manager of the 
telegraph lines. While in this position he 
made the acquaintance of Mr. Woodruff, the 
inventor of the sleeping-car. Mr. Carnegie 
immediately became interested and was one 
of the organizers of the company for its con- 
struction after the railroad had adopted it, 
and the success of this venture gave him the 
nucleus of his wealth. He was promoted 
to the superintendency of the Pittsburg 
division of the Pennsylvania Railroad and 
about this time was one of the syndicate 
that purchased the Storey farm on Oil Creek 
which cost forty thousand dollars and in one 
year it yielded over one million dollars in 
cash dividends. Mr. Carnegie later was as- 
sociated with others in establishing a rolling- 
mill, and from this has grown the most ex- 
tensive and complete system of iron and 
steel industries ever controlled by one indi- 
vidual, embracing the Edgar Thomson 
Steel Works; Pittsburg Bessemer Steel 
Works; Lucy Furnaces; Union Iron Mills; 
Union Mill; Keystone Bridge Works; Hart- 
man Steel Works; Prick Coke Co.; Scotia 
Ore Mines. Besides directing his immense 
iron industries he owned eighteen English 



newspapers which he ran in the interest o; 
the Radicals. He has also devoted large 
sums of money to benevolent and educational 
purposes. In 1879 he erected commodious 
swimming baths for the people of Dunferm- 
line, Scotland, and in the following year 
gave forty thousand dollars for a free library. 
Mr. Carnegie gave fifty thousand dollars to 
Bellevue Hospital Medical College in 1884 
to found what is now called "Carnegie Lab- 
oratory, " and in 1885 gave five hundred 
thousand dollars to Pittsburg for a public 
library. He also gave two hundred and fifty 
thousand dollars for a music hall and library 
in Allegheny City in 1886, and two hundred 
and fifty thousand dollars to Edinburgh, Scot- 
land, for a free library. He also established 
free libraries at Braddock, Pennsylvania, 
and other places for the benefit of his em- 
ployes. He also published the following 
works, "An American Four-in-hand in 
Britain;" " Round the World;" "Trium- 
phant Democracy; or Fifty Years' March of 
the Republic." 



GEORGE H. THOMAS, the " Rock of 
Chickamauga," one of the best known 
commanders during the late Civil war, was 
born in Southampton county, Virginia, July 
31, 1816, his parents being of Welsh and 
French origin respectively. In 1836 young 
Thomas was appointed a cadet at the Mili- 
tary Academy, at West Point, from which 
he graduated in 1840, and was promoted to 
the office of second lieutenant in the Third 
Artillery. Shortly after, with his company, 
he went to Florida, where he served for two 
years against the Seminole Indians. In 
1 84 1 he was brevetted first lieutenant for 
gallant conduct. He remained in garrison 
in the south and southwest until 1845, at 
which date with the regiment he joined the 
army under General Taylor, and participat- 



74 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 



ed in ♦he defense of Fort Brown, the storm- 
ing of Monterey and the battle of Buena 
Vista. After the latter event he remained 
in garrison, now brevetted major, until the 
close of the Mexican war. After a year 
spent in Florida, Captain Thomas was or- 
dered to West Point, where Fie served as in- 
structor until 1854. He then was trans- 
ferred to California. In May, 1855, Thom- 
as was appointed major of the Second Cav- 
alry, with whom he spent five years in Texas. 
Although a southern man, and surrounded 
by brother officers who all were afterwards 
rn the Confederate service, Major Thomas 
never swerved from his allegiance to the 
government. A. S. Johnston was the col- 
onel of the regiment, R. E. Lee the lieuten- 
ant-colonel, and W. J. Hardee, senior ma- 
jor, while among the younger officers were 
Hood, Fitz Hugh Lee, Van Dorn and Kirby 
Smith. When these officers left the regi- 
ment to take up arms for the Confederate 
cause he remained with it, and April 17th, 
1 86 1, crossed the Potomac into his native 
state, at its head. After taking an active part 
in the opening scenes of the war on the Poto- 
mac and Shenandoah, in August, 1861, he 
was promoted to be brigadier-general and 
transferred to the Army of the Cumberland. 
January 19-20, 1862, Thomas defeated 
Crittenden at Mill Springs, and this brought 
him into notice and laid the foundation of 
his fame. He continued in command of his 
division until September 20, 1862, except 
during the Corinth campaign when he com- 
manded the right wing of the Army of the 
Tennessee. He was in command of the 
latter at the battle of Perryville, also, Octo- 
ber 8, 1862. 

On the division of the Army of the Cum- 
berland into corps, January 9, 1863, Gen- 
eral Thomas was assigned to the command 
of the Fourteenth, and at the battle of Chick- 



amauga, after the retreat of Rosecrans, 
firmly held his own against the hosts of Gen- 
eral Bragg. A history of his services from 
that on would be a history of the war in the 
southwest. On September 27, 1864, Gen- 
eral Thomas was given command in Ten- 
nessee, and after organizing his army, de- 
feated General Hood in the" battle of Nash- 
ville, December 15 and 16, 1864. Much 
complaint was made before this on account 
of what they termed Thomas' slowness, and 
he was about to be superseded because he 
would not strike until he got ready, but 
when the blow was struck General Grant 
was the first to place on record this vindica- 
tion of Thomas' judgment. He received a 
vote of thanks from Congress, and from the 
legislature of Tennessee a gold medal. Af- 
ter the close of the war General Thomas 
had command of several of the military di- 
visions, and died at San Francisco, Cali- 
fornia, March 28, 1870. 



GEORGE BANCROFT, one of the most 
eminent American historians, was a 
native of Massachusetts, born at ^^'orcester, 
October 3, 1800, and a son of Aaron 
Bancroft, D. D. The father, Aaron Ban- 
croft, was born at Reading, Massachusetts, 
November 10, 1755. He graduated at 
Harvard in 1778, became a minister, and for 
half a century was rated as one of the ablest 
preachers in New England. He was also a 
prolific writer and published a number of 
works among which was ' ' Life of George 
Washington. " Aaron Bancroft died August 
19, 1839. 

The subject of our present biography, 
George Bancroft, graduated at Harvard in 
1 81 7, and the following year entered the 
University of Gottingen, where he studied 
history and philology under the most emi- 
nent teachers, and in 1S20 received the de- 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 



75 



gree of doctor of philosophy at Gottingen. 
Upon his return home he published a volume 
of poems, and later a translation of Heeren's 
"Reflections on the Politics of Ancient 
Greece." In 1S34 he produced the first 
volume of his " History of the United 
States," this being followed by other vol- 
umes at different intervals later. This was 
his greatest work and ranks as the highest 
authority, taking its place among the great- 
est of American productions. 

George Bancroft was appointed secretary 
of the navy by President Polk in 1845, but 
resigned in 1846 and became minister pleni- 
potentiary to England. In 1849 he retired 
from public life and took up his residence at 
Washington, D. C. In 1867 he was ap- 
pointed United States minister to the court of 
Berlin and negotiated thetreatyby which Ger- 
mans coming to the United States were re- 
leased from their allegiance to the govern- 
ment of their native land. In 1871 he was 
minister plenipotentiary to the German em- 
pire and served until 1874. The death of 
George Bancroft occurred January 17, 1891. 



GEORGE GORDON MEADE, a fa- 
mous Union general, was born at 
Cadiz, Spain, December 30, 18 15, his father 
being United States naval agent at that 
port. After receiving a good education he 
entered the West Point Military Academy 
in 1 83 1. From here he was graduated 
June 30, 1835, ^^"^ received the rank of 
second lieutenant of artillery. He par- 
ticipated in the Seminole war, but resigned 
from the army in October, 1836. He en- 
tered upon the profession of civil engineer, 
which he followed for several years, part of 
the time in the service of the government in 
making surveys of the mouth of the Missis- 
sippi river. His report and results of some 
experiments made by him in this service 



gained Meade much credit. He alsu was 
employed in surveying the boundary line of 
Te.xas and the northeastern boundary line 
between the United States and Canada. 
In 1842 he was reappointed in the army to 
the position of second lieutenant of engineers. 
During the Me.xican war he served with dis- 
tinction on the staff of General Taylor in 
the battles of Palo Alto, Resaca de la Palma 
and the storming of Monterey. He received 
his brevet of first lieutenant for the latter 
action. In 1851 he was made full first 
lieutenant in his corps; a captain in 1856, 
and major soon after. At the close of the 
war with Mexico he was employed in light- 
house construction and in geodetic surveys 
until the breaking out of the Rebellion, in 
which he gained great reputation. In 
August, 1 861 , he was made brigadier-general 
of volunteers and placed in command of the 
second brigade of the Pennsylvania Reserves, 
a division of the First Corps in the Army of 
the Potomac. In the campaign of 1862, 
under McClellan, Meade took an active 
part, being present at the battles of Mechan- 
icsville, Gaines' Mill and Glendale, in the 
latter of which he was severely wounded. 
On rejoining his command he was given a 
division and distinguished himself at its head 
in the battles of South Mountain and Antie- 
tam. During the latter, on the wounding 
of General Hooker, Meade was placed in 
command of the corps and was himself 
slightly wounded. For servi ces he was 
promoted, November, 1862, to the rank 
of major-general of volunteers. On the 
recovery of General Hooker General Meade 
returned to his division and in December, 
1862, at Fredericksburg, led an attack 
which penetrated Lee's right line and swept 
to his rear. Being outnumbered and un- 
supported, he finally was driven back. The 
same month Meade was assigned to the 



76 



COMPENDIUM OF BJOGRAPHT. 



command of the Fifth Corps, and at Chan- 
cellorsville in May, 1863, his sagacity and 
ability so struck General Hooker that when 
the latter asked to be relieved of the com- 
mand, in June of the same year, he nomi- 
nated Meade as his successor. June 28, 
1863, President Lincoln comniissioned Gen- 
eral Meade commander-in-chief of the Army 
of the Potomac, then scattered and moving 
hastily through Pennsylvania to the great 
and decisive battlefield at Gettysburg, at 
which he was in full command. With the 
victory on those July days the name of 
Meade will ever be associated. From that 
time until the close of the war he com- 
manded the Army of the Potomac. In 
1864 General Grant, being placed at the 
head of all the armies, took up his quarters 
with the Army of the Potomac. From that 
time until the surrender of Lee at Appo- 
matox Meade's ability shone conspicuously, 
and his tact in the delicate position in lead- 
ing his army under the eye of his superior 
officer commanded the respect and esteem 
of General Grant. For ser*'ices Meade was 
promoted to the rank of major-general, and 
on the close of hostilities, in July, 1865, 
was assigned to the command of the military 
division of the Atlantic, with headquarters 
at Philadelphia.- This post he held, with 
the exception of a short period on detached 
duty in Georgia, until his death, which took 
place November 6, 1872. 



DAVID CROCKETT was a noted hunter 
and scout, and also one of the earliest 
of American humorists. He was born Au- 
gust 17, 1786, in Tennessee, and was one 
of the most prominent men of his locality, 
serving as representative in congress from 
1827 until 1 83 1. He attracted consider- 
able notice while a member of congress and 
was closely associated with General Jack- 



son, of whom he was a personal friend. He 
went to Texas and enlisted in the Texan 
army at the time of the revolt of Texas 
against Mexico and gained a wide reputa- 
tion as a scout. He was one of the famous 
one hundred and forty men under Colonel 
W. B. Travis who were besieged in Fort 
Alamo, near San Antonio, Texas, by Gen- 
eral Santa Anna with some five thousand 
Mexicans on February 23, 1836. The fort 
was defended for ten days, frequent assaults 
being repelled with great slaughter, over 
one thousand Mexicans being killed or 
wounded, while not a man in the fort was 
injured. Finally, on March 6, three as- 
saults were made, and in the hand-to-hand 
fight that followed the last, the Texans were 
wofully outnumbered and overpowered. 
They fought desperately with clubbed mus- 
kets till only six were left alive, including 
W. B. Travis, David Crockett and James 
Bowie. These surrendered under promise 
of protection; but when they were brought 
before Santa Anna he ordered them all to 
be cut to pieces. 



HENRY WATTERSON, one of the most 
conspicuous figures in the history of 
American journalism, was born at Wash- 
ington, District of Columbia, February 16, 
1 840. His boyhood days were mostly spent 
in the city of his birth, where his father, 
Harvey M. Watterson, was editor of the 
"Union," a well known journal. 

Owing to a weakness of the eyes, which 
interfered with a systematic course of study, 
young Watterson was educated almost en- 
tirely at home. A successful college career 
was out of the question, but he acquired a 
good knowledge of music, literature and art 
from private tutors, but the most valuabie 
part of the training he received was by as- 
sociating with his father and the throng ot 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPIIT. 



77 



public men whom he met in Washington 
in the stirring daj'S immediate!}' preceding 
the Civil war. He began his journalistic 
career at an early age as dramatic and 
musical critic, and in 1858, became editor 
of the "Democratic Review" and at the 
same time contributed to the "States," 
a journal of liberal opinions published in 
Washington. In this he remained until 
the breaking out of the war, when the 
"States," opposing the administration, was 
suppressed, and young Watterson removed 
to Tennessee. He ne.xt appears as editor 
of the Nashville "Republican Banner," the 
most influential paper in the state at that 
time. After the occupation of Nashville by 
the Federal troops, Watterson served as a 
volunteer staff officer in the Confederate 
service until the close of the war, with the 
exception of a year spent in editing the 
Chattanooga "Rebel." On the close of 
the war he returned to Nashville and re- 
sumed his connection with the "Banner." 
After a trip to Europe he assumed control 
of the Louisville "Journal," which he soon 
combined with the "Courier" and the 
"Democrat" of that place, founding the 
well-known "Courier-Journal," the first 
number of which appeared November 8, 
1868. Mr. Watterson also represented his 
district in congress for several years. 



PATRICK SARSFIELD GILMORE, 
one of the most successful and widely 
known bandmasters and musicians of the 
last half century in America, was born in 
Ballygar, Ireland, on Christmas day, 1829. 
He attended a public school until appren- 
ticed to a wholesale merchant at Athlone, 
of the brass band of which town he soon 
became a member. His passion for music 
conflicting with the duties of a mercantile 
life, his position as clerk was exchanged for 



that of musical instructor to the young sons 
of his employer. At the age of nineteen he 
sailed for America and two days after his 
arrival in Boston was put in charge of the 
band instrument department of a prominent 
music house. In the interests of the pub- 
lications of this house he organized a minstrel 
company known as " Ord way's Eolians," 
with which he first achieved success as a 
cornet soloist. Later on he was called the 
best E-flat cornetist in the United States. 
He became leader, successively, of the Suf- 
folk, Boston Brigade and Salem bands. 
During his connection with the latter he 
inaugurated the famous Fourth of July con- 
certs on Boston Common, since adopted as 
a regular programme for the celebration of 
Independence Day. In 1^58 Mr. Gilmore 
founded the organization famous thereafter 
as Gilmore's Band. At the outbreak of the 
Civil war this band was attached to the 
Twenty-Fourth , Massachusetts Infantry. 
Later, when the economical policy of dis- 
pensing with music had proved a mistake, 
Gilmore was entrusted with the re-organiza- 
tion of state military bands, and upon his 
arrival at New Orleans with his own band 
was made bandmaster-general by General 
Banks. On the inauguration of Governor 
Hahn, later on, in Lafayette square, New 
Orleans, ten thousand children, mostly of 
Confederate parents, rose to the baton of 
Gilmore and, accompanied by six hundred 
instruments, thirty-six guns and the united 
fire of three regiments of infantry, sang the 
Star-Spangled Banner, America and other 
patriotic Union airs. In June, 1867, Mr. 
Gilmore conceived a national musical festi- 
val, which was denounced as a chimerical 
undertaking, but he succeeded and June 15. 
1869, stepped upon the stage of the Boston 
Colosseum, a vast structure erected for the 
occasion, and in the presence of over fifty 



78 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 



thousand people lifted his baton over an 
orchestra of one thousand and a chorus of 
ten thousand. On the 17th of June, 1872, 
he opened a still greater festival in Boston, 
when, in addition to an orchestra of two 
thousand and a chorus of twenty thousand, 
were present the Band of the Grenadier 
Guards, of London, of the Garde Repub- 
licaine, of Paris, of Kaiser Franz, of Berlin, 
and one from Dublin, Ireland, together with 
Johann Strauss, Franz Abt and many other 
soloists, vocal and instrumental. Gilmore's 
death occurred September 24, 1892. 



MARTIN VAN BUREN was the eighth 
president of the United States, 1837 
to 1 84 1. He was of Dutch extraction, and 
his ancestors were among the earliest set- 
tlers on the banks of the Hudson. He was 
born December 5, 1782, at Kinderhook, 
New York. Mr. Van Buren took up the 
study of law at the age of fourteen and took 
an active part in political matters before he 
had attained his majority. He commenced 
the practice of law in 1803 at his native 
town, and in 1809 he removed to Hudson, 
Columbia county, New York, where he 
spent seven years gaining strength and wis- 
dom from his contentions at the bar with 
some of the ablest men of the profession. 
Mr. Van Buren was elected to the state 
senate, and from 18 15 until 18 19 he was at- 
torney-general of the state. He was re- 
elected to the senate in 18 16, and in 18 18 
he was one of the famous clique of politi- 
cians known as the "Albany regency." 
Mr. Van Buren was a member of the con- 
vention for the revision of the state consti- 
tution, in 1821. In the same year he was 
elected to the United States senate and 
served his term in a manner that caused his 
re-election to that body in 1827, but re- 
signed the following year as he had been 



elected governor of New York. Mr. Van 
Buren was appointed by President Jackson as 
secretary of state in March, 1829, but resigned 
in 183 1, and during the recess of congress 
he was appointed minister to England. 
The senate, however, when it convened in 
December refused to ratify the appointment. 
In May, 1832, he was nominated by the 
Democrats as their candidate for vice-presi- 
dent on the ticket with Andrew Jackson, 
and he was elected in the following Novem- 
ber. He received the nomination to suc- 
ceed President Jackson in 1836, as the 
Democratic candidate, and in the electoral 
college he received one hundred and seventy 
votes out of two hundred and eighty-three, 
and was inaugurated March 4, 1837. His 
administration was begun at a time of great 
business depression, and unparalled financial 
distress, which caused the suspension of 
specie payments by the banks. Nearly 
every bank in the country was forced to 
suspend specie payment, and no less than 
two hundred and fifty-four business houses 
failed in New York in one week. The 
President urged the adoption of the inde- 
pendent treasury idea, which passed through 
the senate twice but each time it was de- 
feated in the house. However the measure 
ultimately became a law near the close of 
President Van Buren's term of office. An- 
other important measure that was passed 
was the pre-emption law that gave the act- 
ual settlers preference in the purchase of 
public lands. The question of slavery had 
begun to assume great preponderance dur- 
ing this administration, and a great conflict 
was tided over by the passage of a resolu- 
tion that prohibited petitions or papers that 
in any way related to slavery to be acted 
upon. In the Democratic convention of 
1840 President Van Buren secured the 
nomination for re-election on that ticket 



COMPENDIU^f OF BIOGRAPHT 



79 



without opposition, but in the election he 
only received the votes of seven states, his 
opponent, W. H. Harrison, being elected 
president. In 1848 Mr. Van Buren was 
the candidate of the " Free-Soilers," but 
was unsuccessful. After this he retired 
from public life and spent the remainder of 
his life on his estate at Kinderhook, where 
he died July 24, 1862. 



W INFIELD SCOTT, a distinguished 
American general, was born June 13, 
1786, near Petersburg, Dinwiddle county, 
Virginia, and was educated at the William 
and Mary College. He studied law and was 
admitted to the bar, and in 1808 he accepted 
an appointment as captain of light artillery, 
and was ordered to New Orleans. In June, 

18 1 2, he was promoted to be lieutenant- 
colonel, and on application was sent to the 
frontier, and reported to General Smyth, 
near Buffalo. He was made adjutant-gen- 
eral with the rank of a colonel, in March, 

1 8 1 3, and the same month attained the colo- 
nelcy of his regiment. He participated in 
the principal battles of the war and was 
wounded many times, and at the close of 
the war he was voted a gold medal by con- 
gress for his services. He was a writer of 
considerable merit on military topics, and 
he gave to the military science, "General 
Regulations of the Army " and " System of 
Infantry and Rifle Practice. " He took a 
prominent part in the Black Hawk war, 
and at the beginning of the Mexican war he 
was appointed to take the command of the 
army. Gen. Scott immediately assembled 
his troops at Lobos Island from which he 
moved by transports to Vera Cruz, which 
he took March 29, 1847, and rapidly fol- 
lowed up his first success. He fought the 
battles of Cerro Gordo and Jalapa, both of 
which he won, and proceeded to Pueblo 



where he was preceded by Worth's division 
which had taken the town and waited for the 
coming of Scott. The army was forced to 
wait here for supplies, and August 7th, 
General Scott started on his victorious 
march to the city of Mexico with ten thou- 
sand, seven hundred and thirty-eight men. 
The battles of Contreras, Cherubusco and 
San Antonio were fought August 19-20, 
and on the 24th an armistice was agreed 
upon, but as the commissioners could not 
agree on the terms of settlement, the fight- 
ing was renewed at Molino Del Rey, and 
the Heights of Chapultepec were carried 
by the victorious army of General Scott. 
He gave the enemy no respite, however, 
and vigorously followed up his advantages. 
On September 14, he entered the City of 
Mexico and dictated the terms of surrender 
in the very heart of the Mexican Republic. 
General Scott was offered the presidency of 
the Mexican Republic, but declined. Con- 
gress extended him a vote of thanks and 
ordered a gold medal be struck in honor of 
his generalship and bravery. He was can- 
didate for the presidency on the Whig plat 
form but was defeated. He was honored by 
having the title of lieutenant-general con- 
ferred upon him in 1 8 5 5 . At the beginning of 
the Civil war he was too infirm to take charge 
of the army, but did signal service in be- 
half of the government. He retired from 
the service November i, 1861, and in 1864 
he published his "Autobiography." Gen- 
eral Scott died at West Point, May 29, 1866 



EDWARD EVERETT HALE for many 
years occupied a high place among the 
most honored of America's citizens. As 
a preacher he ranks among the foremost 
in the New England states, but to the gen 
eral public he is best known through his 
writings. Born in Boston, Mass., April 3, 



ao 



COMPEXDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 



1822, a descendant of one of the most 
prominent New England families, he enjoyed 
in his youth many of the advantages denied 
the majority of boys. He received his pre- 
paratory schooling at the Boston Latin 
School, after which he finished his studies at 
Harvard where he was graduated with high 
honors in 1839. Having studied theology 
at home, Mr. Hale embraced the ministr}' 
and in 1846 became pastor of a Unitarian 
•church in Worcester, Massachusetts, a post 
which he occupied about ten years. He 
then, in 1856, became pastor of the South 
Congregational church in Boston, over which 
he presided many years. 

Mr. Hale also found time to write a 
great many literary works of a high class. 
Among many other well-known productions 
;;f his are " The Rosary," " Margaret Per- 
;ival in America," "Sketches of Christian 
history," "Kansas and Nebraska," " Let- 
.ers on Irish Emigration," " Ninety Days' 
Worth of Europe," " If, Yes, and Perhaps," 
"Ingham Papers," "Reformation," "Level 
Best and Other Stories, " ' ' Ups and Downs, " 
"Christmas Eve and Christmas Day," " In 
His Name," "Our New Crusade," "W'ork- 
ingmen's Homes," " Boys' Heroes," etc., 
etc., besides many others which might be 
mentioned. One of his works, "In His 
Name," has earned itself enduring fame by 
the good deeds it has called forth. The 
numerous associations known as ' 'The King's 
Daughters," which has accomplished much 
good, owe their existence to the story men- 
tioned. 

D.WID GLASCOE FARRAGUT stands 
pre-eminent as one of the greatest na- 
val officers of the world. He was born at 
Campbell's Station, East Tennessee, July 
5, I So I, and entered thenav^-of the United 
States as a midshipman. He had the good 



fortune to serve under Captain David Por- 
ter, who commanded the " Esse.x," and by 
whom he was taught the ideas of devotion 
to duty from which he never swerved dur- 
ing all his career. In 1S23 Mr. Farragut 
took part in a severe fight, the result of 
which was the suppression of piracy in the 
West Indies. He then entered upon the 
regular duties of his profession which was 
only broken into by a year's residence with 
Charles Folsom, our consul at Tunis, who 
was afterwards a distinguished professor at 
Harvard. Mr. Farragut was one of the best 
linguists in the navy. He had risen through 
the different grades of the service until the 
war of 1861-65 found him a captain resid- 
ing at Norfolk, Virginia. He removed with 
his family to Hastings, on the Hudson, and 
hastened to offer his services to the Federal 
government, and as the capture of New 
Orleans had been resolved upon, Farragut 
was chosen to command the expedition. 
His force consisted of the West Gulf block- 
ading squadron and Porter's mortar flotilla. 
In January, 1862, he hoisted his pennant at 
the mizzen peak of the "Hartford" at 
Hampton roads, set sail from thence on the 
3rd of February and reached Ship Island on 
the 20th of the same month. A council of 
war was held on the 20th of April, in which 
it was decided that whatever was to be done 
must be done quickly. The signal was made 
from the flagship and accordingly the fleet 
weighed anchor at 1:55 on the morning of 
April 24th, and at 3:30 the whole force was 
under way. The history of this brilliant strug- 
gle is well known, and the glory of it made Far- 
ragut a hero and also made him rear admir- 
al. In the summer of 1 862 he ran the batteries 
at V'icksburg, and on March 14, 1863, he 
passed through the fearful and destructive 
fire from Port Hudson, and opened up com- 
munication with Flag-officer Porter, who 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 



83 



had control of the upper Mississippi. On 
May 24th he commenced active operations 
against that fort in conjunction with the army 
and it fell on July 9th. Mr. Farragut filled 
the measure of his fame on the 5th of Au- 
gust, 1864, by his great victory* thecapture 
of Mobile Bay and the destruction of the 
Confederate fleet, including the formidable 
ram Tennessee. For this victory the rank 
of admiral was given to Mr. Farragut. He 
died at Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Au- 
gust 4, 1870. 

GEORGE W. CHILDS, a philanthropist 
whose remarkable personality stood 
for the best and highest type of American 
citizenship, and whose whole life was an 
object lesson in noble living, was born in 
1829 at Baltimore, Maryland, of humble 
parents, and spent his early life in unremit- 
ting toil. He was a self-made man in the 
fullest sense of the word, and gained his 
great wealth by his own efforts. He was a 
man of very great influence, and this, in 
conjunction with his wealth, would have 
been, in the hands of other men, a means of 
getting them political preferment, but Mr. 
Childs steadily declined any suggestions that 
would bring him to figure prominently in 
public affairs. He did not choose to found 
a financial dynasty, but devoted all his 
powers to the helping of others, with the 
m.ost enlightened beneficence and broadest 
sympathy. Mr. Childs once remarked that 
his greatest pleasure in life was in doing 
good to others. He always despised mean- 
ness, and one of his objects of life was to 
prove that a man could be liberal and suc- 
cessful at the same time. Upon these lines 
Mr. Childs made a name for himself as the 
director of one of the representative news- 
papers of America, "The Philadelphia Pub- 
lic Ledger," which was owned jointly by 
5 



himself and the Drexel estate, and which he 
edited for thirty years. He acquired con- 
trol of the paper at a time when it was be- 
ing published at a heavy loss, set it upon a 
firm basis of prosperity, and he made it 
more than a money- making machine — he 
made it respected as an exponent of the 
best side of journalism, and it stands as a 
monument to his sound judgment and up- 
right business principles. Mr. Childs' char- 
itable repute brought him many applications 
for assistance, and he never refused to help 
any one that was deserving of aid; and not 
only did he help those who asked, but he 
would by careful inquiry find tUose who 
needed aid but were too proud to solicit it. 
He was a considerable employer of labor 
and his liberality was almost unparalleled. 
The death of this great and good man oc- 
curred February 3d, 1894. 



PATRICK HENRY won his way to un- 
dying fame in the annals of the early 
history of the United States by introducing 
into the house of burgesses his famous reso- 
lution against the Stamp Act, which he car- 
ried through, after a stormy debate, by a 
majority of one. At this time he exclaimed 
" Caesar had his Brutus, Charles I his Crom- 
well and George HI " (here he was inter- 
rupted by cries of " treason ") "may profit 
by their example. If this be treason make 
the most of it." 

Patrick Henry was born at Studley, 
Hanover county, Virginia, May 29, 1736, 
and was a son of Colonel John Henry, a 
magistrate and school teacher of Aberdeen, 
Scotland, and a nephew of Robertson, the 
historian. He received his education from 
his father, and was married at the age of 
eighteen. He was twice bankrupted before 
he had reached his twenty-fourth year, when 
after six weeks of study he was admitted to 



84 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHr. 



the bar. He worked for three years with- 
out a case and finally was applauded for his 
plea lor the people's rights and gained im- 
mense popularity. After his famous Stamp 
Act resolution he was the leader of the pa- 
triots in Virginia. In 1769 he was admitted 
to practice in the general courts and speed- 
ily won a fortune by his distinguished ability 
as a speaker. He was the first speaker of 
the General Congress at Philadelphia in 
1774. He was for a time a colonel of 
militia in 1775, and from 1776 to 1779 and 
1 78 1 to 1786 he was governor of Virginia. 
For a number of years he retired from pub- 
lic life and was tendered and declined a 
number of important political offices, and in 
March, 1789, he was elected state senator 
but aid not take his seat on account of his 
death which occurred at Red Hill, Charlotte 
county, Virginia, June 6, 1799. 



BENEDICT ARNOLD, an American 
general and traitor of the Revolution- 
ary war, is one of the noted characters in 
American history. He was born in Nor- 
wich, Connecticut, January 3, 1740. He 
ran away and enlisted in the army when 
young, but deserted in a short time. He 
then became a merchant at New Haven, 
Connecticut, but failed. In 1775 he was 
commissioned colonel in the Massachusetts 
militia, and in the autumn of that year was 
placed in command of one thousand men 
for the invasion of Canada. He marched 
his army through the forests of Maine and 
joined General Montgomery before Quebec. 
Their combined forces attacked that city on 
December 31, 1775, and Montgomery was 
killed, and Arnold, severely wounded, was 
compelled to retreat and endure a rigorous 
winter a few miles from the city, where they 
were at the mercy of the Canadian troops 
had they cared to attack them. On his re- 



turn he was raised to the rank of brigadier- 
general. He was given command of a small 
flotilla on Lake Champlain, with which he 
encountered an immense force, and though 
defeated, performed many deeds of valor. 
He resented the action of congress in pro- 
moting a number of his fellow officers and 
neglecting himself. In 1777 he was made 
major-general, and under General Gates at 
Bemis Heights fought valiantly. For some 
reason General Gates found fault with his 
conduct and ordered him under arrest, and 
he was kept in his tent until the battle of 
Stillwater was waxing hot, when Arnold 
mounted his horse and rode to the front of 
his old troop, gave command to charge, and 
rode like a mad man into the thickest of 
the fight and was not overtaken by Gates' 
courier until he had routed the enemy and 
fell wounded. Upon his recovery he was 
made general, and was placed in command 
at Philadelphia. Here he married, and his 
acts of rapacity soon resulted in a court- 
martial. He was sentenced to be repri- 
manded by the commander-in-chief, and 
though Washington performed this duty 
with utmost delicacy and consideration, it 
was never forgiven. Arnold obtained com- 
mand at West Point, the most important 
post held by the Americans, in 1780, and 
immediately offered to surrender it to Sir 
Henry Clinton, British commander at New 
York. Major Andre was sent to arrange 
details with Arnold, but on his return trip 
to New York he was captured by Americans, 
the plot was detected, and Andre suffered 
the death penalty as a spy. Arnold es- 
caped, and was paid about $40,000 by the 
British for his treason and was made briga- 
dier-general. He afterward commanded an 
expedition that plundered a portion of Vir- 
ginia, and another that burned New Lon- 
don, Connecticut, and captured Fort Trum- 



COMPENDIUM OF BJOGRAPI/}' 



85 



bull, the commandant of which Arnold mur- 
dered with the sWord he had just surren- 
dered. He passed the latter part of his life 
in England, universally despised, and died 
in London June 14, 1801. 



ROBERT G. INGERSOLL, one of the 
most brilliant orators that America has 
produced, also a lawyer of considerable 
merit, won most of his fame as a lecturer. 
Mr. Ingersoll was born August 24, 1833, 
at Dryden, Gates county, New York, and 
received his education in the common schools. 
He went west at the age of twelve, and for 
a short time he attended an academy in 
Tennessee, and also taught school in that 
state. He began the practice of law in the 
southern part of Illinois in 1854. Colonel 
Ingersoll's principal fame was made in 
the lecture room by his lectures in which he 
ridiculed religious faith and creeds and criti- 
cised the Bible and the Christian religion. 
He was the orator of the day in the Decora- 
tion Day celebration in the city of New York 
in 1882 and his oration was widely com- 
mended. He first attracted political notice 
in the convention at Cincinnati in 1876 by 
his brilliant eulogy on James G. Blaine. He 
practiced law in Peoria, Illinois, for a num- 
ber of years, but later located in the city of 
New York. He published the follow- 
ing: "The Gods and other Lectures;" "The 
Ghosts;" "Some Mistakes of Moses;" 
"What Shall I Do To Be Saved;" "Inter- 
views on Talmage and Presbyterian Cate- 
chism ;" The "North American Review 
Controversy;" "Prose Poems;" " A Vision 
of War;" etc. 



JOSEPH ECCLESTON JOHNSTON, 
a noted general in the Confederate army, 
was born in Prince Edward county, Virginia, 
in 1807. He graduated from West Point 



and entered the army in 1829. For a num- 
ber of years his chief service was garrison 
duty. He saw active service, however, in 
the Seminole war in Florida, part of the 
time as a staff officer of General Scott. He 
resigned his commission in 1837, but re- 
turned to the army a year later, and was 
brevetted captain for gallant services in 
Florida. He was made first lieutenant of 
topographical engineers, and was engaged 
in river and harbor improvements and also 
in the survey of the Texas boundary and 
the northern boundary of the United 
States until the beginning of the war 
with Mexico. He was at the siege of Vera 
Cruz, and at the battle of Cerro Gordo was 
wounded while reconnoitering the enemy's 
position, after which he was brevetted major 
and colonel. He was in all the battles about 
the city of Mexico, and was again wounded 
in the final assault upon that city. After 
the Mexican war closed he returned to duty 
as captain of topographical engineers, but 
in 1855 he was made lieutenant-colonel of 
cavalry and did frontier duty, and was ap- 
pointed inspector-general of the expedition 
to Utah. In i860 he was appointed quar- 
termaster-general with rank of brigadier- 
general. At the outbreak of hostilities in 
1 86 1 he resigned his commission and re- 
ceived the appointment of major-general of 
the Confederate army. He held Harper's 
Ferry, and later fought General Patterson 
about Winchester. At the battle of Bull 
Run he declined command in favor of Beau- 
regard, and acted under that general's direc- 
tions. He commanded the Confederates in 
the famous Peninsular campaign, and was 
severely wounded at Fair Oaks and was 
succeeded in command by General Lee. 
Upon his recovery he was made lieutenant- 
general and assigned to the command of the 
southwestern department. He attempted 



86 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 



to raise the siege of Vicksburg, and was 
finally defeated at Jackson, Mississippi. 
Having been made a general he succeeded 
General Bragg in command of the army of 
Tennessee and was ordered to check General 
Sherman's advance upon Atlanta. Not 
daring to risk a battle with the overwhelm- 
ing forces of Sherman, he slowly retreated 
toward Atlanta, and was relieved of com- 
mand by President Davis and succeeded by 
General Hood. Hood utterly destroyed his 
own army by three furious attacks upon 
Sherman. Johnston was restored to com- 
mand in the Carolinas, and again faced 
Sherman, but was defeated in several en- 
gagements and continued a slow retreat 
toward Richmond. Hearing of Lee's sur- 
render, he communicated with General 
Sherman, and finally surrendered his army 
at Durham, North Carolina, April 26, 1865. 
General Johnston was elected a member 
of the forty -sixth congress and was ap- 
pointed United States railroad commis- 
sioner in 1885. His death occurred March 
21, 1891. 

SAMUEL LANGHORNE CLEMENS, 
known throughout the civilized world 
as "Mark Twain," is recognized as one of 
the greatest humorists America has pro- 
duced. He was born in Monroe county, 
Missouri, November 30, 1835. Hespenthis 
boyhood days in his native state and many 
of his earlier experiences are related in vari- 
ous forms' in his later writings. One of his 
early acquaintances, Capt. Isaiah Sellers, 
at an early day furnished river news for the 
New Orleans " Picayune," using the noiii- 
dc-phimc of "Mark Twain." Sellers died 
in 1863 and Clemens took up his noin-dc- 
pliDiic and made it famous throughout the 
world by his literary work. In 1862 Mr. 
Clemens became a journalist at Virginia, 



Nevada, and afterward followed the same pro- 
fession at San Francisco and Buffalo, New 
York. He accumulated a fortune from the 
sale of his many publications, but in later 
years engaged in business enterprises, partic- 
ularly the manufacture of a typesetting ma- 
chine, which dissipated his fortune and re- 
duced him almost to poverty , but with resolute 
heart he at once again took up his pen and 
engaged in literary work in the effort to 
regain his lost ground. Among the best 
known of his works may be mentioned the fol- 
lowing: ' ' The Jumping Frog, " ' ' Tom Saw- 
yer," " Roughingit," " Innocents Abroad," 
"Huckleberry Finn," "Gilded Age," 
"Prince and Pauper," "Million Pound 
Bank Note," "A Yankee in King Arthur's 
Court," etc. 

CHRISTOPHER CARSON. better 
known as "Kit Carson;" was an Amer- 
ican trapper and scout who gained a wide 
reputation for his frontier work. He was a 
native of Kentucky, born December 24th, 
1809. He grew to manhood there, devel- 
oping a natural inclination for adventure in 
the pioneer experiences in his native state. 
When yet a young man he became quite 
well known on the frontier. He served as 
a guide to Gen. Fremont in his Rocky 
Mountain explorations and enlisted in the 
army. He was an officer in the United 
States service in both the Mexican war and 
the great Civil war, and in the latter received 
a brevet of brigadier-general for meritorious 
service. His death occurred May 23, 
1868. 

JOHN SHERMAN.— Statesman, politi- 
cian, cabinet officer and senator, the name 
of the gentleman who heads this sketch is al- 
most a household word throughout this 
country. Identified with some of the most 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 



87 



important measures adopted by our Govern- 
ment since the close of the Civil war, he may 
well be called one of the leading men of his 
day. 

John Sherman was born at Lancaster, 
Fairfield county, Ohio, May loth, 1823, 
the son of Charles R. Sherman, an emi- 
nent lawyer and judge of the supreme court 
of Ohio and who died in 1829. The subject 
of this article received an academic educa- 
tion and was admitted to the bar in 1844. 
In the Whig conventions of 1844 and 1848 
he sat as a delegate. He was a member of 
the National house of representatives, 
from 1855 to 1861. In i860 he was re- 
elected to the same position but was chosen 
United States senator before he took his 
seat in the lower house. He was re-elected 
senator in 1866 and 1872 and was long 
chairman of the committee on finance and 
on agriculture. He took a prominent part 
in debates on finance and on the conduct of 
the war, and was one of the authors of the 
reconstruction measures in 1866 and 1867, 
and was appointed secretary of the treas- 
ury March 7th, 1877. 

Mr. Sherman was re-elected United States 
senator from Ohio January i8th, 1881, and 
again in 1886 and 1892, during which time 
he was regarded as one of the most promi- 
nent leaders of the Republican party, both 
in the senate and in the country. He was 
several times the favorite of his state for the 
nomination for president. 

On the formation of his cabinet in March, 
1897, President McKinley tendered the posi- 
tion of secretary of state to Mr. Sherman, 
which was accepted. 



WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON, ninth 
president of the United States, was 
born in Charles county, Virginia, February 
9> ^771)1 the son of Governor Benjamin 



Harrison. He took a course in Hampden- 
Sidney College with a view to the practice 
of medicine, and then went to Philadelphia 
to study under Dr. Rush, but in 1791 he 
entered the army, and obtained the commis- 
sion of ensign, was soon promoted to the 
lieutenancy, and was'with General Wayne 
in his war against the Indians. For his 
valuable service he was promoted to the 
rank of captain and given command of Fort 
Washington, now Cincinnati. He was ap- 
pointed secretary of the Northwest Territory 
in 1797, and in 1799 became its representa- 
tive in congress. In 1801 he was appointed 
governor of Indiana Territory, and held the 
position for twelve years, during which time 
he negotiated important treaties with the In- 
dians, causing them to relinquish millions of 
acres of land, and also won the battle of 
Tippecanoe in 181 1. He succeeded in 
obtaining a change in the law which did not 
permit purchase of public lands in less tracts 
than four thousand acres, reducing the limit 
to three hundred and twenty acres. He 
became major-general of Kentucky militia 
and brigadier-general in the United States 
army in 18 12, and won great renown in 
the defense of Fort Meigs, and his victory 
over the British and Indians under Proctor 
and Tecumseh at the Thames river, October 

5, i8i3. 

In 1 8 16 General Harrison was elected to 
congress from Ohio, and during the canvass 
was accused of corrupt methods in regard to 
the commissariat of the army. He demanded 
an investigation after the election and was 
exonerated. In 18 19 he was elected to 
the Ohio state senate, and in 1824 he gave 
his vote as a presidential elector to Henry 
Clay. He became a member of the United 
States senate the same year. During the 
last year of Adams' administration he was 
sent as minister to Colombia, but was re- 



88 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 



called by President Jackson the following 
year. He then retired to his estate at North 
Bend, Ohio, a few miles below Cincinnati. In 
[836 he was a candidate for the presidency, 
but as there were three other candidates 
the votes were divided, he receiving seventy- 
three electoral votes, a majority going to 
Mr. Van Buren, the Democratic candidate. 
Four years later General Harrison was again 
nominated by the Whigs, and elected by a 
tremendous majority. The campaign was 
noted for its novel features, many of which 
have found a permanent place in subsequent 
campaigns. Those peculiar to that cam- 
paign, however, were the " log-cabin" and 
"hard cider" watchwords, which produced 
great enthusiasm among his followers. One 
month after his inauguration he died from 
an attack of pleurisy, April 4, 1841. 



CHARLES A. DANA, the well-known 
and widely-read journalist of New York 
City, a native of Hinsdale, New Hampshire, 
was born August 8, 18 19. He received 
the elements of a good education in his 
youth and studied for two years at Harvard 
University. Owing to some disease of the 
eyes he was unable to complete his course 
and graduate, but was granted the degree of 
A. M. notwithstanding. For some time he 
was editor of the "Harbinger," and was a 
regular contributor to the Boston " Chrono- 
type." In 1847 he became conpected with 
the New York ' ' Tribune, " and continued on 
the staff of that journal until 1858. In the 
latter year he edited and compiled "The 
Household Book of Poetry," and later, in 
connection with George Ripley, edited the 
"New American Cyclopaedia." 

Mr. Dana, on severing his connection 
with the " Tribune " in 1867, became editor 
of the New York "Sun," a paper with 
which he was identified for many years, and 



which he made one of the leaders of thought 
in the eastern part of the United States. 
He wielded a forceful pen and fearlessly 
attacked whatever was corrupt and unworthy 
in politics, state or national. The same 
year, 1867, Mr. Dana organized the New 
York " Sun " Company. 

During the troublous days of the wat, 
when the fate of the Nation depended upon 
the armies in the field, Mr. Dana accepted 
the arduous and responsible position of 
assistant secretary of war, and held the 
position during the greater part of 1863 
and 1864. He died October 17, 1897. 



ASA GRAY was recognized throughout the 
scientific world as one of the ablest 
and most eminent of botanists. He was 
born at Paris, Oneida county. New York, 
November 18, 1810. He received his medi- 
cal degree at the Fairfield College of Physi- 
cians and Surgeons, in Herkimer county, 
New York, and studied botany with the late 
Professor Torrey, of New York. He was 
appointed botanist to the Wilkes expedition 
in 1834, but declined the offer and became 
professor of natural history in Harvard Uni- 
versity in 1842. He retired from the active 
duties of this post in 1873, and in 1874 he 
was the regent of the Smithsonian Institu- 
tion at Washington, District of Columbia. 
Dr. Gray wrote several books on the sub- 
ject of the many sciences of which he was 
master. In 1836 he published his "Ele- 
ments of Botany," "Manual of Botany" in 
1848; the unfinished "Flora of North 
America," by himself and Dr. Torrey, the 
publication of which commenced in 1838. 
There is another of his unfinished works 
called "Genera Boreali-Americana, " pub- 
lished in 1848, and the "Botany of the 
United States Pacific Exploring Expedition 
in 1854." He wrote many elaborate papers 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 



89 



on the botany of the west and southwest 
that were published in the Smithsonian Con- 
tributions, Memoirs, etc., of the American 
Academy of Arts and Sciences, of which in- 
stitution he was president for ten years. 
He was also the author of many of the 
government reports. ' ' How Plants Grow, " 
" Lessons in Botany," " Structural and Sys- 
tematic Botany," are also works from his 
ready pen. 

Dr. Gray published in 1861 his "Free 
Examination of Darwin's Treatise " and his 
" Darwiniana," in 1876. Mr. Gray was 
elected July 29, 1878, to a membership in 
the Institute of France, Academy of Sciences. 
His death occurred at Cambridge, Massa- 
chusetts, January 30, 1S89. 



WILLIAM MAXWELL EVARTS was 
one of the greatest leaders of the 
American bar. He was born in Boston, 
Massachusetts, February 6, 1818, and grad- 
uated from Yale College in 1837. He took 
up the study of law, which he practiced in 
the city of New York and won great renown 
as an orator and advocate. He affiliated 
with the Republican party, which he joined 
soon after its organization. He was the 
leading counsel employed for the defense of 
1- resident Johnson in his trial for impeach- 
inent before the senate in April and May of 
1868. 

In July, 1868, Mr. Evarts was appointed 
attorney-general of the United States, and 
served until March 4, 1869. He was one 
of the three lawyers who were selected by 
President Grant in 1871 to defend the inter- 
ests of the citizens of the United States be- 
fore the tribunal of arbitration which met 
at Geneva in Switzerland to settle the con- 
troversy over the " Alabama Claims." 

He was one of the most eloquent advo- 
cates in the United States, and many of his 



public addresses have been preserved and 
published. He was appointed secretary of 
state March 7, 1877, by President Hayes, 
and served during the Hayes administration. 
He was elected senator from the state of 
New York January 21, 1885, and at once 
took rank among the ablest statesmen in 
Congress, and the prominent part he took 
in the discussion of public questions gave 
him a national reputation. 



JOHN WANAMAKER.— The life of this 
great merchant demonstrates the fact 
that the great secret of rising from the ranks 
is, to-day, as in the past ages, not so much the 
ability to make money, as to save it, or in 
other words, the ability to live well within 
one's income. Mr. Wanamaker was born in 
Philadelphia in 1838. He started out in 
life working in a brickyard for a mere pit- 
tance, and left that position to work in a 
book store as a clerk, where he earned 
the sum of $5.00 per month, and later on 
was in the employ of a clothier where he 
received twenty-five cents a week more. 
He was only fifteen years of age at that 
time, but was a " money-getter " by instinct, 
and laid by a small sum for a possible rainy 
day. By strict attention to business, com- 
bined with natural ability, he was promoted 
many times, and at the age of twenty he 
had saved $2,000. After several months 
vacation in the south, he returned to Phila- 
delphia and became a master brick mason, 
but this was too tiresome to the young man, 
and he opened up the " Oak Hall " clothing 
store in April, 1861, at Philadelphia. The 
capital of the firm was rather limited, but 
finally, after many discouragements, they 
laid the foundations of one of the largest 
business houses in the world. The estab- 
lishment covers at the present writing some 
fourteen acres of floor space, and furnishes 



90 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 



employment for five thousand persons. Mr. 
Wanamaker was also a great church worker, 
and built a church that cost him $60,000, 
and he was superintendent of the Sunday- 
school, which had a membership of over 
three thousand children. He steadily re- 
fused to run for mayor or congress and the 
only public office that he ever held was that 
of postmaster-general, under the Harrison 
administration, and here he exhibited his 
extraordinary aptitude for comprehending 
the details of public business. 



D.WID BENNETT HILL, a Demo- 
cratic politician who gained a na- 
tional reputation, was born August 29, 
1843, at Havana, New York. He was 
educated at the academy of his native town, 
and removed to Elmira, New York, in 1862, 
where he studied law. He was admitted to 
the bar in 1864, in which year he was ap- 
pointed city attorney. Mr. Hill soon gained 
a considerable practice, becoming prominent 
in his profession. He developed a taste for 
politics in which he began to take an active 
part in the different campaigns and became 
the recognized leader of the local Democ- 
racy. In 1870 he was elected a member of 
the assembly and was re-elected in 1872. 
While a member of this assembly he formed 
the acquaintance of Samuel J. Tilden, after- 
ward governor of the state, who appointed 
Mr. Hill, W. M. Evarts and Judge Hand 
as a committee to provide a uniform charter 
for the different cities of the state. The 
pressure of professional engagements com- 
pelled him to decline to serve. In 1877 
Mr. Hill was made chairman of the Demo- 
cratic state convention at Albany, his elec- 
<;ion being due to the Tilden wing of the 
party, and he heH the same position again 
m 1 88 1. He served one term as alderman 
•n Elmira, at the expiration of which term, 



in 1882, he was elected mayor of Elmira, 
and in September of the same year was 
nominated for lieutenant-governor on the 
Democratic state ticket. He was success- 
ful in the campaign and two years later, 
when Grover Cleveland was elected to the 
presidency, Mr. Hill succeeded to the gov- 
ernorship for the unexpired term. In 1885 
he was elected governor for a full term of 
three years, at the end of which he was re- 
elected, his term expiring in 1891, in which 
year he was elected United States senator. 
In the senate he became a conspicuous 
figure and gained a national reputation. 



ALLEN G. THURMAN.—" The noblest 
Roman of them all " was the title by 
which Mr. Thurman was called by his com- 
patriots of the Democracy. He was the 
greatest leader of the Democratic party in 
his day and held the esteem of all the 
people, regardless of their political creeds. 
Mr. Thurman was born November 13, 181 3, 
at Lynchburg, Virginia, where he remained 
until he had attained the age of six years, 
when he moved to Ohio. He received an 
academic education and after graduating, 
took up the study of law, was admitted to 
the bar in 1835, and achieved a brilliant 
success in that line. In political life he was 
very successful, and his first office was that 
of representative of the state of Ohio in the 
twenty-ninth congress. He was elected 
judge of the supreme court of Ohio in 185 1, 
and was chief justice of the same from 1854 
to 1856. In 1867 he was the choice of the 
Democratic party of his state for governor, 
and was elected to the United States senate 
in 1869 to succeed Benjamin F. Wade, 
and was re-elected to the same position in 
1874. He was a prominent figure in the 
senate, until the expiration of his service i i 
1 88 1. Mr. Thurman was also one of the 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 



91 



principal presidental possibilities in the 
Democratic convention held at St. Louis in 
1876. In 1888 he was the Democratic 
nominee for vice-president on the ticket 
with Grover Cleveland, but was defeated. 
Allen Cranberry Thurman died December 
12, 1895, ^t Columbus, Ohio. 



CHARLES FARRAR BROWNE, better 
known as " Artemus Ward," was born 
April 26, 1834, in the village of Waterford, 
Maine. He was thirteen years old at the 
time of his father's death, and about a year 
later he was apprenticed to John M. Rix, 
who published the "Coos County Dem- 
ocrat " at Lancaster, New Hampshire. Mr. 
Browne remained with him one year, when, 
hearing that his brother Cyrus was starting 
a paper at Norway, Maine, he left Mr. Rix 
and determined to get work on the new 
paper. He worked for his brother until the 
failure of the newspaper, and then went to 
Augusta, Maine, where he remained a few 
weeks and then removed to Skowhegan, 
and secured a position on the " Clarion." 
But either the climate or the work was not 
satisfactory to him, for one night he silently 
left the town and astonished his good mother 
by appearing unexpectedly at home. Mr. 
Browne then received some letters of recom- 
mendation to Messrs. Snow and Wilder, of 
Boston, at whose office Mrs. Partington's 
(B. P. Shillaber) " Carpet Bag " was printed, 
and he was engaged and remained there for 
three years. He then traveled westward in 
search of employment and got as far as Tif- 
fin, Ohio, where he found employment in the 
office of the "Advertiser," and remained 
there some months when he proceeded to 
Toledo, Ohio, where he became one of the 
staff of the "Commercial," which position 
he held until 1857. Mr. Browne next went 
io Cleveland, Ohio, and became the local 



editor of the "Plain Dealer," and it was in 
the columns of this paper that he published 
his first articles and signed them "Artemus 
Ward." In i860 he went to New York and 
became the editor of " Vanity Fair," but 
the idea of lecturing here seized him, and he 
was fully determined to make the trial. 
Mr. Browne brought out his lecture, "Babes 
in the Woods " at Clinton Hall, December 
23, 1861, and in 1862 he published his first 
book entitled, " Artemus Ward; His Book." 
He attained great fame as a lecturer and his 
lectures were not confined to America, for 
he went to England in 1866, and became 
exceedingly popular, both as a lecturer and 
a contributor to "Punch." Mr. Browne 
lectured for the last time January 23, 1867. 
He died in Southampton, England, March 
6, 1867. 

THURLOW WEED, a noted journalist 
and politician, was born in Cairo, New 
York, November 15, 1797. He learned the 
printer's trade at the age of twelve years, 
and worked at this calling for several years 
in various villages in central New York. He 
served as quartermaster-sergeant during the 
warofi8i2. In 1818 he established the 
"Agriculturist," at Norwich, New York, 
and became editor of the "Anti-Masonic 
Enquirer," at Rochester, in 1826. In the 
same year he was elected to the legislature 
and re-elected in 1830, when he located in 
Albany, New York, and there started the 
" Evening Journal," and conducted it in op- 
position to the Jackson administration and 
the nullification doctrines of Calhoun. He 
became an adroit party manager, and was 
instrumental in promoting the nominations 
of Harrison, Taylor and Scott for the pres- 
idency. In 1856 and in i860 he threw his 
support to W. H. Seward, but when defeat- 
ed in his object, he gave cordial support to 



02 



COMPENDIUM OF BJOGRAPHT. 



Fremont and Lincoln. Mr. Lincoln pre- 
vsiled upon him to visit the various capitals 
of Europe, where he proved a valuable aid 
to the administration in moulding the opin- 
ions of the statesmen of that continent 
favorable to the cause of the Union. 

Mr. Weed's connection with the ' ' Even- 
ing Journal " was severed in 1862, when he 
settled in New York, and for a time edited 
the " Commercial Advertiser. " In 1868 he 
retired from active life. His " Letters from 
Europe and the West Indies," published in 
1866, together with some interesting "Rem- 
iniscences," published in the "Atlantic 
Monthly," in 1870, an autobiography, and 
portions of an extensive correspondence will 
be of great value to writers of the political 
history of the United States. Mr. Weed 
died in New York, November 22, 1882. 



WILLIAM COLLINS WHITNEY, 
one of the prominent Democratic 
politicians of the country and ex-secretary of 
the navy, was born July 5th, 1841, at Con- 
way, Massachusetts, and received his edu- 
cation at Williston Seminary, East Hamp- 
ton, Massachusetts. Later he attended 
Yale College, where he graduated in 1863, 
and entered the Harvard Law School, which 
he left in 1864. Beginning practice in New 
York city, he soon gained a reputation as 
an able lawyer. He made his first appear- 
ance in public affairs in 1871, when he was 
active in organizing a young men's Demo- 
cratic club. In 1872 he was the recognized 
leader of the county Democracy and in 1875 
was appointed corporation counsel for the 
city of New York. He resigned the office, 
1882, to attend to personal interests and on 
March 5, 1885, he was appointed secretary 
of the navy by President Cleveland. Under 
his administration the navy of the United 
States rapidly rose in rank among the navies 



of the world. When he retired from office 
in 1889, the vessels of the United States 
navy designed and contracted for by him 
were five double-turreted monitors, two 
new armor-clads, the dynamite cruiser "Ve- 
suvius," and five unarmored steel and iron 
cruisers. 

Mr. Whitney was the leader of the 
Cleveland forces in the national Democratic 
convention of 1892. 



EDWIN FORREST, the first and great- 
est American tragedian, was born in 
Philadelphia in 1806. His father was a 
tradesman, and some accounts state that he 
had marked out a mercantile career for his 
son, Edwin, while others claim that he had 
intended him for the ministry. His wonder- 
ful memory, his powers of mimicry and his 
strong musical voice, however, attracted at- 
tention before he was eleven years old, and 
at that age he made his first appearance on 
the stage. The costume in which he appeared 
was so ridiculous that he left the stage in a 
fit of anger amid a roar of laughter from 
the audience. This did not discourage him, 
however, and at the age of fourteen, after 
some preliminary training in elocution, he 
appeared again, this time as Young Norvel, 
and gave indications of future greatness. 
Up to 1826 he played entirely with strolling 
companies through the south and west, but 
at that time he obtained an engagement at 
the Bowery Theater in New York. From 
that time his fortune was made. His man- 
ager paid him $40 per night, and it is stated 
that he loaned Forrest to other houses from 
time to time at $200 per night. His great 
successes were Virginius, Damon, Othello, 
Coriolanus, William Tell, Spartacus and 
Lear. He made his first appearance in 
London in 1836, and his success was un- 
questioned from the start. In 1845, on his 



COMPENDIUM OF BfOCRAPHT. 



93 



second appearance in London, he became 
involved in a bitter rivalry with the great 
English actor, Macready, who had visited 
America two years before. The result was 
that Forrest was hissed from the stage, and 
it was charged that Macready had instigated 
the plot. Forrest's resentment was so bitter 
that he himself openly hissed Macready 
from his box a few nights later. In 1848 
Macready again visited America at a time 
when American admiration and enthusiasm 
for Forrest had reached its height. Macready 
undertook to play at Astor Place Opera 
House in May, 1849, but was hooted off the 
stage. A few nights later Macready made a 
second attempt to play at the same house, 
this time under police protection. The house 
was filled with Macready 's friends, but the vio- 
olence of the mob outside stopped the play, 
and the actor barely escaped with his life. 
Upon reading the riot act the police and 
troops were assaulted with stones. The 
troops replied, first with blank cartridges, 
and then a volley of lead dispersed the 
mob, leaving thirty men dead or seriously 
wounded. 

After this incident Forrest's popularity 
waned, until in 1855 he retired from the 
stage. He re-appeared in i860, however, 
and probably the most remunerative period 
of his life was between that date and the 
close of the Civil war. His last appearance 
on the stage was at the Globe Theatre, 
Boston, in Richelieu, in April, 1872, his 
death occurring December 1 2 of that year. 



NOAH PORTER, D. D., LL. D., was 
one of the most noted educators, au- 
thors and scientific writers of the United 
States. He was born December 14, 181 1, 
at Farmington, Connecticut, graduated at 
Yale College in 183 1, and was master of 
Hopkins Grammar School at New Haven in 



1831-33- During 1833-35 he was a tutor 
at Yale, and at the same time was pursuing 
his theological studies, and became pastor 
of the Congregational church at New Mil- 
ford, Connecticut, in April, 1836. Dr. 
Porter removed to Springfield, Massachu- 
setts, in 1843, and was chosen professor of 
metaphysics and moral philosophy at Yale 
in 1846. He spent a year in Germany in 
the study of modern metaphysics in 1853- 
54, and in 1871 he was elected president of 
Yale College. He resigned the presidency 
in 1885, but still remained professor of met- 
aphysics and moral philosophy. He was 
the author of a number of works, among 
which are the following: "Historical Es- 
say," written in commemorationof the 200th 
aniversary of the settlement of the town of 
Farmington; " Educational System of the 
Jesuits Compared;" "The Human Intel- 
lect," with an introduction upon psychology 
and the soul; " Books and Reading;" 
"American Colleges and the American Pub- 
lic;" " Elementsof Intellectual Philosophy;" 
" The Science of Nature versus the Science 
of Man;" " Science and Sentiment;" " Ele- 
ments of Moral Science." Dr. Porter was 
the principal editor of the revised edition of 
Webster's Dictionary in 1864, and con- 
tributed largely to religious reviews and 
periodicals. Dr. Porter's death occurred 
March 4, 1892, at New Haven, Connecticut. 



JOHN TYLER, tenth president of the 
United States, was born in Charles City 
county, Virginia, March 29, 1790, and was 
the son of Judge John Tyler, one of the 
most distinguished men of his day. 

When but twelve years of age young 
John Tyler entered William and Mary Col- 
lege, graduating from there in 1806. He 
took up the study of law and was admitted 
to the bar in 1809, when but nineteen years 



94 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 



of age. On attaining his majority in 1811 
he was elected a member of the state legis- 
lature, and for five years held that position 
by the almost unanimous vote of his county. 
He was elected to congress in 18 16, and 
served in that body for four years, after 
which for two years he represented his dis- 
trict again in the legislature of the state. 
While in congress, he opposed the United 
States bank, the protective pohcy and in- 
ternal improvements by the United States 
government. 1825 saw Mr. Tyler governor 
of Virginia, but in 1827 he was chosen 
member of the United States senate, and 
held that office for nine years. He therein 
opposed the administration of Adams and 
the tariff bill of 1828, sympathized with the 
nullifiers of South Carolina and was the 
only senator who voted against the Force 
bill for the suppression of that state's insip- 
ient rebellion. He resigned his position as 
senator on account of a disagreement with 
the legislature of his state in relation to his 
censuring President Jackson. He retired to 
Williamsburg, Virginia, but being regarded 
as a martyr by the Whigs, whom, hereto- 
fore, he had always opposed, was supported 
by many of that party for the vice-presi- 
dency in 1836. He sat in the Virginia leg- 
islature as a Whig in 1839-40, and was a 
del^^gate to the convention of that party in 
i8;9. This national convention nominated 
him for the second place on the ticket with 
General William H. H. Harrison, and he 
was elected vice-president in November, 
1840. President Harrison dying one month 
after his inauguration, he was succeeded by 
John Tyler. He retained the cabinet chosen 
by his predecessor, and for a time moved in 
harmony with the Whig party. He finally 
instructed the secretary of the treasury, 
Thomas Ewing, to submit to congress a bill 
for the incorporation of a fiscal bank of the 



United States, which was passed by con- 
gress, but vetoed by the president on ac- 
count of some amendments he considered 
unconstitutional. For this and other meas- 
ures he was accused of treachery to his 
party, and deserted by his whole cabinet, 
except Daniel Webs' er. Things grew worse 
until he was abandoned by the Whig party 
formally, when Mr. Webster resigned. He 
was nominated at Baltimore, in May, 1844, 
at the Democratic convention, as their pres- 
idential candidate, but withdrew from the 
canvass, as he saw he had not succeed- 
ed in gaining the confidence of his old 
party. He then retired from politics until 
February, 1861, when he was made presi- 
dent of the abortive peace congress, which 
met in Washington. He shortly after re- 
nounced his allegiance to the United States 
and was elected a member of the Confeder- 
ate congress. He died at Richmond, Janu- 
ary 17, 1862. 

Mr. Tyler married, in 18 13, Miss Letitia 
Christian, who died in 1842 at Washington. 
June 26, 1844, he contracted a second mar- 
riage, with Miss Julia Gardner, of New York. 



COLLIS POTTER HUNTINGTON, 
one of the great men of his time and 
who has left his impress upon the history of 
our national development, was born October 
22, 1 82 1, at Harwinton, Connecticut. 
He received a common-school education 
and at the age of fourteen his spirit of get- 
ting along in the world mastered his educa- 
tional propensities and his father's objec- 
tions and he left school. He went to Cali- 
fornia in the early days and had opportunities 
which he handled masterfully. Others had 
the same Opportunities but they did not have 
his brains nor his energy, and it was he who 
overcame obstacles and reaped the reward 
of his genius. Transcontinental railways 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 



95 



were inevitable, but the realization of this 
masterful achievement would have been de- 
layed to a much later day if there had been 
no Huntington. He associated himself with 
Messrs. Mark Hopkins, Leland Stanford, 
and Charles Crocker, and they furnished the 
money necessary for a survey across the 
Sierra Nevadas, secured a charter for the 
road, and raised, with the government's aid, 
money enough to construct and equip that 
railway, which at the time of its completion 
was a marvel of engineering and one of the 
wonders of the world. Mr. Huntington be- 
came president of the Southern Pacific rail- 
road, vice-president of the Central Pacific; 
trustee of the Atlantic and Pacific Telegraph 
Company, and a director of the Occidental 
and Oriental Steamship Company, besides 
being identified with many other business 
enterprises of vast importance. 



GEORGE A. CUSTER, a famous In- 
dian fighter, was born in Ohio in 1840. 
He graduated at West Point in 1861, an- 
served in the Civil war; was at Bull Run id 
1861, and was in the Peninsular campaign, 
being one of General McClellan's aides-de, 
camp. He fought in the battles of South 
Mountain and.Antietam in 1863, and was 
with General Stoneman on his famous 
cavalry raid. He was engaged in the battle 
of Gettysburg, and was there made brevet- 
major. In 1863 was appointed brigadier- 
general of volunteers. General Custer was 
in many skirmishes in central Virginia in 
1863-64, and was present at the following 
battles of the Richmond campaign: Wil- 
derness, Todd's Tavern, Yellow Tavern, where 
hewasbrevetted lieutenant-colonel; Meadow 
Bridge, Haw's Shop, Cold Harbor, Trevil- 
lian Station. In the Shenandoah Valley 
1 864-65 he was brevetted colonel at Opequan 
Creek, and at Cedar Creek he was made 



brevet major-general for gallant conduct 
during the engagement. General Custer 
was in command of a cavalry division in the 
pursuit of Lee's army in 1865, and fought 
at Dinwiddle Court House, Five Forks, 
where he was made brevet brigadier-general ; 
Sailors Creek and Appomattox, where he 
gained additional honors and was made 
brevet major-general, and . was given the 
command of the cavalry in the military 
division of the southwest and Gulf, in 1865. 
After the establishment of peace he went 
west on frontier duty and performed gallant 
and valuable service in the troubles with the 
Indians. He was killed in the massacre on 
the Little Big Horn river, South Dakota, 
June 25, 1876. 



DANIEL WOLSEY VOORHEES, cel- 
brated as " The Tall Sycamore of the 
Wabash," was born September 26, 1827, 
in Butler county, Ohio. When he was two 
months old his parents removed to Fount- 
ain county, Indiana. He grew to manhood 
on a farm, engaged in all the arduous work 
pertaining to rural life. In 1845 he entered 
the Indiana Asbury University, now the De 
Pauw, from which he graduated in 1849. 
He took up the study of law at Crawfords- 
ville, and in 1851 began the practice of his 
profession at Covington, Fountain county, 
Indiana. He became a law partner of 
United States Senator Hannegan, of Indi- 
ana, in 1852, and in 1856 he was an unsuc- 
cessful candidate for congress. In the fol- 
lowing year he took up his residence in Terre 
Haute, Indiana. He was United States 
district attorney for Indiana from 1857 until 
1 86 1, and he had during this period been 
elected to congress, in i860. Mr. Voorhees 
was re-elected to congress in 1862 and 1864, 
but he was unsuccessful in the election of 
1866. However, he was returned to con- 



96 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 



gress in 1868, where he remained until 1874, 
having been re-elected twice. In 1877 he 
was appointed United States senator from 
Indiana to fill a vacancy caused by the death 
of O. P. Morton, and at the end of the term 
was elected for the ensuing term, being re- 
elected in 1885 and in 1891 to the same of- 
fice. He served with distinction on many 
of the committees, and took a very prom- 
inent part in the discussion of all the im- 
portant legislation of his time. His death 
occurred in August, 1 89 . 



ALEXANDER GRAHAM BELL, fa- 
mous as one of the inventors of the tele- 
phone, was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, 
March 3rd, 1847. He received his early 
education in the high school and later he 
attended the university, and was specially 
trained to follow his grandfather's profes- 
sion, that of removing impediments of 
speech. He emigrated to the United States 
in 1872, and introduced into this country 
his father's invention of visible speech in the 
institutions for deaf-mutes. Later he was 
appointed professor of vocal physiology in 
the Boston University. He worked for 
many years during his leisure hours on his 
telephonic discovery, and finally perfected 
it and exhibited it publicly, before it had 
reached the high state of perfection to which 
he brought it. His first exhibition of it was 
at the Centennial Exhibition that was held 
in Philadelphia in 1876. Its success is now 
established throughout the civilized world. 
In 1882 Prof. Bell received a diploma and 
the decoration of the Legion of Honor from 
the Academy of Sciences of France.. 



WILLIAM HICKLING PRESCOTT, 
the justly celebrated historian and 
author, was a native of Salem, Massachu- 
setts, and was born May 4, 1796. He was 



the son of Judge William Prescott and the 
grandson of the hero of Bunker Hill, Colonel 
William Prescott. 

Our subject in 1808 removed with the 
familj' to Boston, in the schools of which 
city he received his early education. He 
entered Harvard College as a sophomore in 
1 8 1 1 , having been prepared at the private 
classical college of Rev. Dr. J. S. J. Gardi- 
jner. The following year he received an in- 
ury in his left eye which made study 
through life a matter of difficulty. He 
graduated in 18 14 with high honors in the 
classics and belle lettres. He spent several 
mohths on the Azores Islands, and later 
visited England, France and Italy, return- 
ing home in 18 17. In June, 18 18, he 
founded a social and literary club at Boston 
for which he edited "The Club Room," a 
periodical doomed to but a short life. May 
4, 1820, he married Miss Susan Amory. 
He devoted several years after that event to 
a thorough study of ancient and modern 
history and literature. As the fruits of his 
labors he published several well written 
essays upon French and Italian poetry and 
romance in the " North American Review." 
January 19, 1826, he decided to take up his 
first great historical work, the " History of 
the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella." To 
this he gave the labor of ten years, publish- 
ing the same December 25, 1837. Although 
placed at the head of all American authors, 
so diffident was Prescott of his literary merit 
that although he had four copies of this 
work printed for his own convenience, he 
hesitated a long time before giving it to the 
public, and it was only bj' the solicitation of 
friends, especially of that talented Spanish 
scholar, George Ticknor, that he was in- 
duced to do so. Soon the volumes were 
translated into French, Italian, Dutch and 
German, and the work was recognized 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 



.97 



throughout the world as one of the most 
meritorious of historical compositions. In 
1S43 he published the "Conquest of Mexi- 
co," and in 1847 the "Conquest of Peru." 
Two years later there came from his pen a 
volume of "Biographical and Critical Mis- 
cellanies." Going abroad in the summer of 
1850, he was received with great distinction 
in the literary circles of London, Edinburgh, 
Paris, Antw'erp and Brussels. Oxford Uni- 
versity conferred the degree of D. C. L. 
upon him. In 1855 he issued two volumes 
of his "History of the Reign of Philip the 
Second," and a third in 1858. In the 
meantime he edited Robertson's "Charles 
the Fifth," adding a history of the life of 
that monarch after his abdication. Death 
cut short his work on the remaining volumes 
oi " Philip the Second," coming to him at 
Boston, Massachusetts, May 28, 1859. 



OLIVER HAZARD PERRY, a noted 
American commodore, was born in 
South Kingston, Rhode Island, August 23, 
1785. He saw his first service as a mid- 
shipman in the United States navy in April, 
1799. He cruised with his father, Captain 
Christopher Raymond Perry, in the West In- 
dies for about two years. In 1804 he was 
in the war against Tripoli, and was made 
lieutenant in 1 807. At the opening of hostili- 
ties with Great Britain in 1 8 1 2 he was given 
command of a fleet of gunboats on the At- 
lantic coast. At his request he was trans- 
ferred, a year later, to Lake Ontario, where 
he served under Commodore Chauncey, and 
took an active part in the attack on Fort 
George. He was ordered to fit out a squad- 
ron on Lake Erie, which he did, building 
most of his vessels from the forests along 
the shore, and by the summer of 1 8 1 3 he had 
a fleet of nine vessels at Presque Isle, now 
Erie, Pennsylvania September loth he 



attacked and captured the British fleet near 
Put-in-Bay, thus clearing the lake of hostile 
ships. His famous dispatch is part of his 
fame, " We have met the enemy, and they 
are ours." He co-operated with Gen. Har- 
rison, and the success of the campaign in 
the northwest was largely due to his victory. 
The next year he was transferred to the Po- 
tomac, and assisted in the defense of Balti- 
more. After the war he was in constant 
service with the various squadrons in cruising 
in all parts of the world. He died of yellow 
fever on the Island of Trinidad, August 23, 
1 8 19. His remains were conveyed to New- 
port, and buried there, and an imposing 
obelisk was erected to his memory by the 
Slate of Rhode Island. A bronze statue 
was also erected in his honor, the unveiling 
taking place in 1885. 



JOHN PAUL JONES, though a native 
of Scotland, was one of America's most 
noted fighters during the Revolutionary war. 
He was born July 6, 1747. His father was 
a gardener, but the young man soon be- 
came interested in a seafaring life and at 
the age of twelve he was apprenticed to a 
sea captain engaged in the American trade. 
His first voyage landed him in Virginia, 
where he had a brother who had settled 
there several years prior. The failure of 
the captain released young Jones from his 
apprenticeship bonds, and he was engaged 
as third mate of a vessel engaged in the 
slave trade. He abandoned this trade after 
a few years, from his own sense of disgrace. 
He took passage from Jamaica for Scotland 
in 1768, and on the voyage both the captain 
and the mate died and he was compelled to 
take command of the vessel for the re- 
mainder of the voyage. He soon after 
became master of the vessel. He returned 
to Virginia about 1773 to settle up the estate 



9& 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHZ 



of bis brother, and at this time added the 
name "Jones," having previously been 
known as John Paul. He settled down in 
Virginia, but when the war broke out in 
1775 he offered his services to congress and 
was appointed senior lieutenant of the flag- 
ship "Alfred," on which he hoisted the 
American flag with his own hands, the first 
vessel that had ever carried a flag of the 
new nation. He was afterward appointed, 
to the command of the ' ' Alfred, " and later 
of the "Providence," in each of which ves- 
sels he did good service, as also in the 
" Ranger," to the command of which he 
was later appointed. The fight that made 
him famous, however, was that in which he 
captured the " Serapis," off the coast of 
Scotland. He was then in command of the 
"Bon Homme Richard," which had been 
fitted out for him by the French government 
and named by Jones in honor of Benjamin 
Franklin, or ' ' Good Man Richard, " Frank- 
lin being author of the publication known 
as " Poor Richard's Almanac." The fight 
between the " Richard" and the "Serapis" 
lasted three hours, all of which time the 
vessels were at close range, and most of the 
time in actual contact. Jones' vessel was 
on fire several times, and early in the en- 
gagement two of his guns bursted, rendering 
the batterj- useless. Also an envious officer 
of the Alliance, one of Jones' own fleet, 
opened fire upon the ' ' Richard " at a crit- 
ical time, completely disabling the vessel. 
Jones continued the fight, in spite of coun- 
sels to surrender, and after dark the ' ' Ser- 
apis" struck her colors, and was hastily 
boarded by Jones and his crew, while the 
"Richard" sank, bows first, after the 
wounded had been taken on board the 
"Serapis." Most of the other vessels of 
the fleet of which the ' ' Serapis " was con- 
voy, surrendered, and were taken with the 



"Serapis" to France, where Jones was 
received with greatest honors, and the king 
presented him with an elegant sword and 
the cross of the Order of Military Merit. 
Congress gave him a vote of thanks and 
made him commander of a new ship, the 
"America," but the vessel was afterward 
given to France and Jones never saw active 
sea service again. He came to America again, 
in 1787, after the close of the war, and was 
voted a gold medal by congress. He went to 
Russia and was appointed rear-admiral and 
rendered service of value against the Turks, 
but on account of personal enmity of the fav- 
orites of the emperor he was retired on a pen- 
sion. Failing to collect this, he returned to 
France, where he died, July 18, 1792. 



THOMAS MORAN, the well-known 
painter of Rocky Mountain scenery, 
was born in Lancashire, England, in 1837. 
He came to America when a child, and 
showing artistic tastes, he was apprenticed 
to a wood engraver in Philadelphia. Three 
years later he began landscape painting, and 
his style soon began to exhibit signs of genius. 
His first works were water-colors, and 
though without an instructor he began the 
use of oils, he soon found it necessary to 
visit Europe, where he gave particular at- 
tention to the works of Turner. He joined 
the Yellowstone Park exploring expedition 
and visited the Rocky Mountains in 1871 



and 



m 



1873, making numerous 



sketches of the scenerj*. The most note- 
worthy results were his ' ' Grand Canon of 
the Yellowstone," and " The Chasm of the 
Colorado," which were purchased by con- 
gress at $10,000 each, the first of which is 
undoubtedly the finest landscape painting 
produced in this country. Mr. Moran has 
subordinated art to nature, and the subjects 
he has chosen leave little ground for fault 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 



101 



finding on that account. "The Mountain 
of the Holy Cross," "The Groves Were 
God's First Temples," " The Cliffs of Green 
River," " The Children of the Mountain," 
"The Ripening of the Leaf," and others 
have given him additional fame, and while 
they do not equal in grandeur the first 
mentioned, in many respects from an artis- 
tic standpoint they are superior. 



L ELAND STANFORD was one of the 
greatest men of the Pacific coast and 
also had a national reputation. He was 
born March 9, 1824, in Albany county, New 
York, and passed his early life on his 
father's farm. He attended the local 
schools of the county and at the age of 
twenty began the study of law. He 
entered the law office of Wheaton, Doolittle 
and Hadley, at Albany, in 1845, stnd a few 
years later he moved to Port Washington, 
Wisconsin, where he practiced law four 
years with moderate success. In 1852 Mr. 
Stanford determined to push further west, 
and, accordingly went to California, where 
three of his brothers were established in 
business in the mining towns. They took 
Leland into partnership, giving him charge 
of a branch store at Michigan Bluff, in 
Placer county. There he developed great 
business ability and four years later started 
a mercantile house of his own in San Fran- 
cisco, which soon became one of the most 
substantial houses on the coast. On the 
formation of the Republican party he inter- 
ested himself in politics, and in i860 was 
sent as a delegate to the convention that 
nominated Abraham Lincoln. In the 
autumn of 1861 he was elected, by an im- 
mense majority, governor of California. 
Prior to his election as governor he had 
been chosen president of the newly-orga- 
nized Central Pacific Railroad Company, 

6 



and after leaving the executive chair he de- 
voted all of his time to the construction of 
the Pacific end of the transcontinental rail- 
way. May 10, 1869, Mr. Stanford drove 
the last spike of the Central Pacific road, 
thus completing the route across the conti- 
nent. He was also president of the Occi- 
dental and Oriental Steamship Company. 
He had but one son, who died of typhoid 
fever, and as a monument to his child he 
founded the university which bears his sons 
name, Leland Stanford, Junior, University. 
Mr. Stanford gave to this university eighty- 
three thousand acres of land, the estimated 
value of which is $8,000,000, and the entire 
endowment is $20,000,000. In 1885 Mr. 
Stanford was elected United States senator 
as a Republican, to succeed J. T. Farley, a 
Democrat, and was re-elected in 1 891. His 
death occurred June 20, 1894, at Palo Alto, 
California. 



STEPHEN DECATUR, a famous com- 
modore in the United States navy, was 
born in Maryland in 1779. He entered the 
naval service in 1798. In 1804, when the 
American vessel Philadelphia had been run 
aground and captured in the harbor of Trip- 
oli, Decatur, at the head of a few men, 
boarded her and burned her in the face of 
the guns from the city defenses. For this 
daring deed he was made captain. He was 
given command of the frigate United States 
at the breaking out of the war of 1812, and 
in October of that year he captured the 
British frigate Macedonian, and was re- 
warded with a gold medal by congress. Af-' 
ter the close of the war he was sent as com- 
mander of a fleet of ten vessels to chastise 
the dey of Algiers, who was preying upon 
American commerce with impunity and de- 
manding tribute and ransom for the release 
of American citizens captured. Decatur 



102 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 



captured a number of Algerian vessels, and 
compelled the dey to sue for peace. He 
was noted for his daring and intrepidity, 
and his coolness in the face of danger, and 
helped to bring the United States navy into 
favor with the people and congress as a 
means of defense and offense in time of 
war. He was killed in a duel by Commo- 
dore Barron, March 12, 1820. 



JAMES KNOX POLK, the eleventh 
president of the United States, 1845 to 
1849, was born November 2, 1795, in Meck- 
lenburg county, North Carolina, and was 
the eldest child of a family of six sons. He 
removed with his father to the Valley of the 
Duck River, in Tennessee, in 1806. He 
attended the common schools and became 
very proficient in the lower branches of 
education, and supplemented this with 
a course in the Murfreesboro Academy, 
which he entered in 18 13 andin the autumn 
of 18 1 5 he became a student in the sopho- 
more class of the University of North Caro- 
lina, at Chapel Hill, and was graduated in 
1 81 8. He then spent a short time in re- 
cuperating his health and then proceeded to 
Nashville, Tennessee, where he took up the 
study of law in the office of Felix Grundy. 
After the completion of his law studies he 
was admitted to the bar and removed to 
Columbia, Maury county, Tennessee, and 
started in the active practice of his profes- 
sion. Mr. Polk was a Jeffersonian "Re- 
publican " and in 1823 he was elected to the 
legislature of Tennessee. He was a strict 
constructionist and did not believe that the 
general government had the power to carry 
on internal improvements in the states, but 
deemed it important that it should have that 
power, and wanted the constitution amended 
to that effect. But later on he became 
aiarmed lest the general government might 



become strong enough to abolish slavery 
and therefore gave his whole support to the 
" State's Rights" movement, and endeavored 
to check the centralization of power in the 
general government. Mr. Polk was chosen 
a member of congress in 1825, and held that 
office until 1839. He then withdrew, as he 
was the successful gubernatorial candidate 
of his state. He had become a man of 
great influence in the house, and, as the 
leader of the Jackson party in that body, 
weilded great influence in the election of 
General Jackson to the presidency. He 
sustained the president in all his measures 
and still remained in the house after Gen- 
eral Jackson had been succeeded by Martin 
Van Buren. He was speaker of the house 
during five sessions of congress. He was 
elected governor of Tennessee by a large 
majority and took the oath of office at Nash- 
ville, October 4, 1S39. He was a candidate 
for re-election but was defeated by Governor 
Jones, the Whig candidate. In 1844 the 
most prominent question in the election was 
the annexation of Texas, and as Mr. Polk 
was the avowed champion of this cause he 
was nominated for president by the pro- 
slavery wing of the democratic party, was 
elected by a large majority, and was inaug- 
urated March 4, 1845. President Polk 
formed a very able cabinet, consisting of 
James Buchanan, Robert J. Walker, Will- 
iam L. Marcy, George Bancroft, Cave John- 
son, and John Y. Mason. The dispute re- 
garding the Oregon boundary was settled 
during his term of office and a new depart- 
ment was added to the list of cabinet po- 
sitions, that of the Interior. The low tariff 
bill of 1846 was carried and the financial 
system of the country was reorganized. It 
was also during President Polk's term that 
the Mexican war was successfully conducted, 
which resulted in the acquisition of Califor- 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPllV. 



103 



nia and New Mexico. Mr. Polk retired from 
the presidency March 4, 1849, after having 
declined a re-nomination, and was succeeded 
by General Zachary Taylor, the hero of the 
Me.xican war. Mr. Polk retired to private 
life, to his home in Nashville, where he died 
at the age of fifty-four on June 9, 1849. 



ANNA DICKINSON (Anna Elizabeth 
Dickinson), a noted lecturer and pub- 
lic speaker, was born at Philadelphia, Oc- 
tober 28, 1842. Herparents were Quakers, 
and she was educated at the Friends' free 
schools in her native city. She early man- 
ifested an inclination toward elocution and 
public speaking, and when, at the age of 18, 
she found an opportunity to appear before 
a national assemblage for the discussion of 
woman's rights, she at once established her 
reputation as a public speaker. From i860 
to the close of the war and during the ex- 
citing period of reconstruction, she was one 
of the most noted and influential speakers 
before the American public, and her popu- 
larity was unequaled by that of any of her 
sex. A few weeks after the defeat and 
death of Colonel Baker at Ball's Bluff, Anna 
Dickinson, lecturing in New York, made 
the remarkable assertion, "Not the incom- 
petency of Colonel Baker, but the treachery 
of General McClellan caused the disaster at 
Ball's Bluff." She was hissed and hooted 
off the stage. A year later, at the same 
hall and with much the same class of audi- 
tors, she repeated the identical words, and 
the applause was so great and so long con- 
tinued that it was impossible to go on with 
her lecture for more than half an hour. The 
change of sentiment had been wrought by 
the reverses and dismissal of McClellan and 
his ambition to succeed Mr. Lincoln as presi- 
dent. 

Ten years after the close of the war, Anna 



Dickinson was not heard of on the lec- 
ture platform, and about that time she made 
an attempt to enter the dramatic profession, 
but after appearing a number of times in dif- 
ferent plays she was pronounced a failure. 



ROBERT J. BURDETTE.— Some per- 
sonal characteristics of Mr. Burdette 
were quaintly given by himself in the follow- 
ing words: "Politics.? Republican after 
the strictest sect. Religion .' Baptist. Per- 
sonal appearance t Below medium height, 
and weigh one hundred and thirty-five 
pounds, no shillings and no pence. Rich .■' 
Not enough to own a yacht. Favorite read- 
ing.' Poetry and history — know Longfellow 
by heart, almost. Write for magizines .' 
Have mo^e ' declined with thanks ' letters 
than would fill a trunk. Never able to get 
into a magazine with a line. Care about it.' 
Mad as thunder. Think about starting a 
magazine and rejecting everbody's articles 
except my own." Mr. Burdette was born 
at Greensborough, Pennsylvania, in 1844. 
He served through the war of the rebellion 
under General Banks " on an excursion 
ticket" as he felicitously described it, "good 
both ways, conquering in one direction and 
running in the other, pay going on just the 
same." He entered into journalism by the 
gateway of New York correspondence for 
the "Peoria Transcript," and in 1874 went 
on the "Burlington Hawkeye" of which he 
became the managing editor, and the work 
that he did on this paper made both him- 
self and the paper famous in the world of 
humor. Mr. Burdette married in 1870, 
and his wife, whom he called " Her Little 
Serene Highness," was to him a guiding 
light until the day of her death, and it was 
probably the unconscious pathos with which 
he described her in his work that broke the 
barriers that had kept him out of the maga- 



104 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 



zines and secured him the acceptance of his 
"Confessions" by Lippincott some years 
ago, and brought him substantial fame and 
recognition in the literary world. 



WILLIAM DEAN HOWELLS, one 
of the leading novelists of the present 
century and author of a number of works 
that gained for him a place in the hearts of 
the people, was born March i, 1837, at 
Martinsville, Belmont county, Ohio. At 
the age of three years he accompanied his 
father, who was a printer, to Hamilton, 
Ohio, where he learned the printer's trade. 
Later he was engaged on the editorial staff 
of the "Cincinnati Gazette " and the " Ohio 
State Journal." During 1861-65 he was 
the United States consul at Venice, and 
from 1871 to 1878 he was the editor-in- 
chief of the "Atlantic Monthly." As a 
writer he became one of the most fertile 
and readable of authors and a pleasing poet. 
In 1885 he became connected with " Har- 
per's Magazine. " Mr. Howells was author 
of the list of books that we give below: 
"Venetian Life, " " Italian Journeys," "No 
Love Lost," " Suburban Sketches," "Their 
Wedding Journey," "A Chance Acquaint- 
ance," "A Foregone Conclusion," "Dr. 
Breen's Practice," "A Modern Instance," 
"The Rise of Silas Lapham," "Tuscan 
Cities," "Indian Summer," besides many 
others. He also wrote the ' ' Poem of Two 
Friends," with J. J. Piatt in i860, and 
some minor dramas: "The Drawing 
Room Car," "The Sleeping Car," etc., 
iliat are full of exqusite humor and elegant 
dialogue. 



TAMES RUSSELL LOWELL was a son 
<J of the Rev. Charles Lowell, and was born 
• •t Cambridge, Massachusetts, February 22, 
1819. He graduated at Harvard College in 



1838 as class poet, and went to Harvard 
Law School, from which he was graduated 
in 1840, and commenced the practice of his 
profession in Boston, but soon gave his un- 
divided attention to literary labors. Mr. 
Lowell printed, in 1841, a small volume of 
poems entitled " A Year's Life," edited with 
Robert Carter; in 1843, " The Pioneer, " a 
literary and critical magazine (monthly), and 
in 1848 another book of poems, that con- 
tained several directed against slavery. He 
published in 1844 a volume of "Poems" 
and in 1845 " Conversations on Some 
of the Old Poets," "The Vision of Sir 
Launfal," "A Fable for Critics, " and "The 
Bigelow Papers," the latter satirical es- 
says in dialect poetry directed against 
slavery and the war with Mexico. In 
1851-52 he traveled in Europe and re- 
sided in Italy for a considerable time, and 
delivered in 1854-55 a course of lectures on 
the British poets, before the Lowell Insti- 
tute, Boston. Mr. Lowell succeeded Long- 
fellow in January, 1855, as professor of 
modern languages and literature at Harvard 
College, and spent another year in Euiope 
qualifying himself for that post. He edited 
the " Atlantic Monthly " from 1857 to 1862, 
and the "North American Review" from 
1863 until 1872. From 1864 to 1870 he 
published the following works: "Fireside 
Travels," " Under the Willows," "The 
Commemoration Ode," in honor of the 
alumni of Harvard who had fallen in the 
Civil war; "The Cathedral," two volumes 
of essays; "Among My Books" and "My 
Study Windows," and in 1867 he published 
a new series of the " Bigelow Papers." He 
traveled extensively in Europe in 1S72-74, 
and received in person the degree of D. C. 
L. at Oxford and that of LL. D. at the 
University of Cambridge, England. He 
was also interested in political life and held 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY 



105 



many important offices. He was United 
States minister to Spain in 1877 and was 
also minister to England in 1880-85. On 
January 2, 1884, he was elected lord rector 
of St. Andrew University in Glasgow, Scot- 
land, but soon after he resigned the same. 
Mr. Lowell's works enjoy great popularity 
in the United States and England. He 
died August 12, 1891. 



JOSEPH HENRY, one of America's 
greatest scientists, was born at Albany, 
New York, December 17, 1797. He was 
educated in the common schools of the city 
and graduated from the Albany Academy, 
where he became a professor of mathemat- 
ics in 1826. In 1827 he commenced a 
course of investigation, which he continued 
for anumber of years, and the results pro- 
duced had great effect on the scientific world. 
The first success was achieved by producing 
the electric magnet, and he next proved the 
possibility of exciting magnetic energy at a 
distance, and it was the invention of Pro- 
fessor Henry's intensity magnet that first 
made the invention of electric telegraph a 
possibility. He made a statement regarding 
the practicability of applying the intensity 
magnet to telegraphic uses, in his article to 
the "American Journal of Science " in 1831. 
During the same year he produced the first 
mechanical contrivance ever invented for 
maintaining continuous motion by means of 
electro-magnetism, and he also contrived a 
machine by which signals could be made at 
a distance by the use of his electro-magnet, 
the signals being produced by a lever strik- 
ing on a bell. Some of his electro-magnets 
were of great power, one carried over a ton 
and another not less than three thousand six 
hundred pounds. In 1832 he discovered 
that secondary currents could be produced 
in a long cc-~ductor by the induction of the 



primary current upon itself, and also in the 
same year he produced a spark by means of 
a purely magnetic induction. Professor 
Henry was elected, in 1832, professor of nat- 
ural philosophy in the College of New Jer- 
sey, and in his earliest lectures at Princeton, 
demonstrated the feasibility of the electric 
telegraph. He visited Europe in 1837, and 
while there he had an interview with Pro- 
fessor Wheatstone, the inventor of the 
needle magnetic telegraph. In 1846 he was 
elected secretary of the Smithsonian Insti- 
tution, being the first incumbent in that office, 
which he held until his death. Professor 
Henry was elected president of the Ameri- 
can Association for the Advancement of 
Science, in 1849, and of the National 
Academy of Sciences. He was made chair- 
man of the lighthouse board of the United 
States in 1871 and held that position up to 
the time of his death. He received the 
honorary degree of doctor of laws from 
Union College in 1829, and from Harvard 
University in 185 i, and his death occurred 
May 13, 1878. Among his numerous works 
may be mentioned the following: "Contri- 
butions to Electricity and Magnetism," 
" American Philosophic Trans," and many 
articles in the "American Journal of 
Science," the journal of the Franklin Insti- 
tute; the proceedings of the American As- 
sociation for the Advancement of Science, 
and in the annual reports of the Smith- 
sonian Institution from its foundation. 



FRANKLIN BUCHANAN, the famous 
rear-admiral of the Confederate navy 
during the rebellion, was born in Baltimore, 
Maryland. He became a United States 
midshipman in 18 15 and was promoted 
through the various grades of the service 
and became a captain in 1855. Mr. Buch 
anan resigned his captaincy in order to join 



IOC 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRArHT. 



the Confederate service in 1861 and later he 
asked to be reinstated, but his request was 
refused and he then entered into the service 
of the Confederate government. He was 
placed in command of the frigate " Merri- 
mac " after she had been fitted up as an iron- 
clad, and had command of her at the time 
of the battle of Hampton Roads. It was 
he who had command when the " Merri- 
mac" sunk the two wooden frigates, " Con- 
gress " and "Cumberland," and was also 
in command during part of the historical 
battle of the " Merrimac" and the "Moni- 
tor," where he was wounded and the com- 
mand devolved upon Lieutenant Catesby 
Jones. He was created rear-admiral in the 
Confederate service and commanded the 
Confederate fleet in Mobile bay, which was 
defeated by Admiral Farragut, August 5, 
1864. Mr. Buchanan was in command of 
the "Tennessee," an ironclad, and during 
the engagement he lost one of his legs and 
was taken prisoner in the end by the Union 
fleet. After the war he settled in Talbot 
county, Maryland, where he died May 11, 
1874- 

RICHARD PARKS BLAND, a celebrated 
American statesman, frequently called 
"the father of the house," because of his 
many years of service in the lower house 
of congress, was born August 19, 1835, 
near Hartford, Kentucky, where he received 
a plain academic education. He moved, 
in 1855, to Missouri, from whence he went 
overland to California, afterward locating in 
Virginia City, now in the state of Nevada, 
but then part of the territorj' of Utah. 
While there he practiced law, dabbled in 
mines and mining in Nevada and California 
for several years, and served for a time as 
treasurer of Carson county, Nevada. Mr. 
Bland returned to Missouri in 1865, where 



he engaged in the practice ot law at Rolla, 
Missouri, and in 1869 removed to Lebanon, 
Missouri. He began his congressional career 
in 1873, when he was elected as a Demo- 
crat to the forty-third congress, and he was 
regularly re-elected to every congress after 
that time up to the fifty-fourth, when he was 
defeated for re-election, but was returned 
to the fifty-fifth congress as a Silver Demo- 
crat. During all his protracted service, 
while Mr. Bland was always steadfast in his 
support of democratic measures, yet he won 
his special renown as the great advocate of 
silver, being strongly in favor pf the free 
and unlimited coinage of silver, and on ac- 
count of his pronounced views was one of 
the candidates for the presidential nomina- 
tion of the Democratic party at Chicago in 
1896. 

FANNY DAVENPORT (F. L. G. Daven- 
port) was of British birth, but she be- 
longs to the American stage. She was the 
daughter of the famous actor, E. L. Daven- 
port, and was born in London in 1850. 
She first went on the stage as a child at the 
Howard Athenaeum, Boston, and her entire 
life was spent upon the stage. She played 
children's parts at Burton's old theater in 
Chambers street, and then, in 1862, appeared 
as the King of Spain in " Faint Heart Never 
Won Fair Lady." Here she attracted the 
notice of Augustin Daly, the noted mana- 
ger, then at the Fifth Avenue theater, who 
offered her a six weeks' engagement with 
her father in "London Assurance." She 
afterwards appeared at the same house in a 
variety of characters, and her versatility 
was favorably noticed by the critics. After 
the burning of the old Fifth Avenue, the 
present theater of that name was built at 
Twenty-eighth street, and here Miss Daven- 
port appeared in a play written for her by 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 



107 



Mr. Daly. She scored a great success. 
She then starred in this play throughout the 
country, and was married to Mr. Edwin F. 
Price, an actor of her company, in 1880. 
In 1882 she went to Paris and purchased 
the right to produce in America Sardou's 
great emotional play, "Fedora." It was 
put on at the Fourteenth Street theater in 
New York, and in it she won popular favor 
and became one of the most famous actresses 
of her time. 



HORACE BRIGHAM CLAFLIN, one 
of the greatest merchants America has 
produced, was born in Milford, Massachu- 
setts, a son of John Claflin, also a mer- 
chant. Young Claflin started his active life 
as a clerk in his father's store, after having 
been offered the opportunity of a college 
education, but with the characteristic 
promptness that was one of his virtues he 
exclaimed, "No law or medicine for me." 
He had set his heart on being a merchant, 
and when his father retired he and his 
brother Aaron, and his brother-in-law, Sam- 
uel Daniels, conducted the business. Mr. 
Claflin was not content, however, to run a 
store in a town like Milford, and accordingly 
opened a dry goods store at Worcester, with 
his brother as a partner, but the partnership 
was dissolved a year later and H. B. Claflin 
assumed complete control. The business 
in Worcester had been conducted on ortho- 
dox principles, and when Mr. Claflin came 
there and introduced advertising as a means 
of drawing trade, he created considerable 
animosity among the older merchants. Ten 
years later he was one of the most prosper- 
ous merchants. He disposed of his busi- 
ness in Worcester for $30,000, and went to 
New York to search for a wider field than 
that of a shopkeeper. Mr. Claflin and 
William M. Bulkley started in the dr^goods 



business there under the firm name of Bulk- 
ley & Claflin, in 1843, ^"d Mr. Bulkley wa? 
connected with the firm until 1 851, when he 
retired. A new firm was then formed under 
the name of Claflin, Mellin & Co. This 
firm succeeded in founding the largest dry 
goods house in the world, and after weather- 
ing the dangers of the civil war, during 
which the house came very near going un- 
der, and was saved only by the superior 
business abilities of Mr. Claflin, continued to 
grow.. The sales of the firm amounted to 
over $72,000,000 a year after the close of 
the war. Mr. Claflin died November 14, 
1885. 

CHARLOTTE CUSHMAN (Charlotte 
Saunders Cushman), one of the most 
celebrated American actresses, was born in 
Boston, July 23, 1816. She was descended 
from one of the earliest Puritan families. 
Her first attempt at stage work was at the 
age of fourteen years in a charitable concert 
given by amateurs in Boston. From this 
time her advance to the first place on the 
American lyric stage was steady, until, in 
1835, while singing in New Orleans, she 
suddenly lost control of her voice so far as 
relates to singing, and was compelled to re- 
tire. She then took up the study for the 
dramatic stage under the direction of Mr. 
Barton, the tragedian. She soon after 
made her </fi^«/ as " Lady Macbeth." She 
appeared in New York in September, 1836, 
and her success was immediate. Her 
"Romeo" was almost perfect, and she is 
the only woman that has ever appeared in 
the part of " Cardinal Wolsey." She ;it 
different tim'es acted as support of Forrest 
and Macready. Her London engagement, 
secured in 1845, after many and great dis- 
couragements, proved an unqualified suc- 
cess. 



108 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHr. 



Her farewell appearance was at Booth's 
theater, New York, November 7, 1874, in 
the part of " L.ady Macbeth," and after that 
performance an Ode by R. H. Stoddard 
was read, and a body of citizens went upon 
the stage, and in their name the venerable 
poet Longfellow presented her with a wreath 
of laurel with an inscription to the effect 
that "she who merits the palm should bear 
it." From the time of her appearance as a 
modest girl in a charitable entertainment 
down to the time of final triumph as a tragic 
queen, she bore herself with as much honor 
to womanhood as to the profession she rep- 
resented. Her death occurred in Boston, 
February 18, 1876. By her profession she 
acquired a fortune of $600,000. 



NE.\L DOW, one of the most prominent 
temperance reformers our country has 
known, was born in Portland, Me., March 20, 
1804. He received his education in the 
Friends Seminary, at New Bedford, Massa- 
chusetts, his parents being members of that 
sect. After leaving school he pursued a 
mecrantile and manufacturing career for a 
number of years. He was active in the 
affairs of his native city, and in 1839 be- 
came chief of the fire department, and in 
185 1 was elected mayor. He was re-elected 
to the latter office in 1854. Being opposed 
to the liquor traffic he was a champion of 
the project of prohibition, first brought for- 
ward in I 839 by James Appleton. While 
serving his first term as mayor he drafted a 
bill for the "suppression of drinking houses 
and tippling shops," which he took to the 
legislature and which was passed without an 
alteration. In 1858 Mr. Dow was elected 
to the legislature. On the outbreak of the 
Civil war he was appointed colonel of the 
Thirteenth Maine Infantry and accompanied 
General Butler's expedition to New Orleans. 



In 1862 he was made brigadier-general. At 
the battle of Port Hudson May 27, 1863, he 
was twice wounded, and taken prisoner. He 
was confined at Libby prison and Mobile 
nearly a year, when, being exchanged, he 
resigned, his health having given way under 
the rigors of his captivity. He made sev- 
eral trips to England in the interests of 
temperance organization, where he addressed 
large audiences. He was the candidate of 
the National Prohibition party for the presi- 
dency in 1880, receiving about ten thousand 
votes. In 1884 he was largely instrumental 
in the amendment of the constitution of 
Maine, adopted by an overwhelming popular 
vote, which forever forbade the manufacture 
or sale of any intoxicating beverages, and 
commanding the legislature to enforce the 
prohibition. He died October 2, 1897. 



ZACHARY TAYLOR, twelfth president 
of the United States, was born in 
Orange county, Virginia, September 24, 
1784. His boyhood was spent on his fath- 
er's plantation and his education was lim- 
ited. In 1808 He was made lieutenant of 
the Seventh Infantry, and joined his regi- 
ment at New Orleans. He was promoted 
to captain in 18 10, and commanded at Fort 
Harrison, near the present site of Terra 
Haute, in 18 12, where, for his gallant de- 
fense, he was brevetted major, attaining full 
rank in 18 14. In 1815 he retired to an es- 
tate near Louisville. In 18 16 here-entered 
the army as major, and was promoted to 
lieutenant-colonel and then to colonel. 
Having for many years been Indian agent 
over a large porion of the western country, 
he was often required in Washington to give 
advice and counsel in matters connected 
with the Indian b ireau. He served through 
the Black Hawk Indian war of 1832, and in 
1837 was ordered to the command of the 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 



109 



army in Florida, where he attacked the In- 
dians in the swamps and brakes, defeated 
them and ended the war. He was brevetted 
brigadier-general and made commander-in- 
chief of the army in Florida. He was as- 
signed to the command of the army of the 
southwest in 1840, but was soon after re- 
lieved of it at his request. He was then 
stationed at posts in Arkansas. In 1845 he 
was ordered to prepare to protect and de- 
fend Texas boundaries from invasion by 
Mexicans and Indians. On the annexation 
of Texas he proceeded with one thousand 
five hundred men to Corpus Christi, within 
the disputed territory. After reinforcement 
he was ordered by the Mexican General Am- 
pudia to retire beyond the Nueces river, 
with which order he declined to comply. 
The battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la 
Palma followed, and he crossed the Rio 
Grande and occupied Matamoras May i8th. 
He was commissioned major-general for this 
campaign, and in September he advanced 
upon, the city of Monterey and captured it 
after a hard fight. Here he took up winter 
quarters, and when he was about to resume 
activity in the spring he was ordered to send 
the larger part of his army to reinforce 
General Scott at Vera Cruz. After leaving 
garrisons at various points his army was re- 
duced to about five thousand, mostly fresh 
recruits. He was attacked by the army of 
Santa Anna at Buena Vista, February 22, 
1847, and after a severe fight completely 
routed the Mexicans. He received the 
thanks of congress and a gold medal for 
this victory. He remained in command of 
the "army of occupation" until winter, 
when he returned to the United States. 

In 1848 General Taylor was nominated 
by the Whigs for president. He was elected 
over his two opponents, Cass and Van 
Buren. Great bitterness was developing in 



the struggle for and against the extension of 
slavery, and the newly acquired territory in 
the west, and the fact that the states were 
now equally divided on that question, tended 
to increase the feeling. President Taylor 
favored immediate admission of California 
with her constitution prohibiting slavery, 
and the admission of other states to be 
formed out of the new territory as they 
might elect as they adopted constitutions 
from time to time. This policy resulted in 
the " Omnibus Bill," which afterward passed 
congress, though in separate bills; not, how- 
ever, until after the death of the soldier- 
statesman, which occurred July 9, 1850. 
One of his daughters became the wife of 
Jefferson Davis. 



M' 



ELVILLE D. LANDON, better known 

as " Eli Perkins, "author, lecturer and 
humorist, was born in Eaton, New York, 
September 7, 1839. He was the son of 
John Landon and grandson of Rufus Lan- 
don, a revolutionary soldier from Litchfield 
county, Connecticut. Melville was edu- 
cated at the district school and neighboring 
academy, where he was prepared for the 
sophomore class at Madison University. He 
passed two years at the latter, when he was 
admitted to Union College, and graduated 
in the class of 1861, receiving the degree of 
A. M., in 1862. He was, at once, ap- 
pointed to a position in the treasury depart- 
ment at Washington. This being about the 
time of the breaking out of the war. and 
before the appearance of any Union troops 
at the capital, he assisted in the organiza- 
tion of the " Clay Battalion," of Washing- 
ton. Leaving his clerkship some time later, 
he took up duties on the staff of General A. 
L. Chetlain, who was in command at Mem- 
phis. In 1864 he resigned from the army 
and engaged in cotton planting in Arkansas 



no 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 



and Louisiana. In 1867 he went abroad, 
making the tour of Europe, traversing Rus- 
sia. While in the latter country his old 
commander of the " Clay Battalion," Gen- 
eral Cassius M. Clay, then United States 
minister at St. Petersburg, made him secre- 
tary of legation. In 1871, on returning to 
America, he published a history of the 
Franco-Prussian war, and followed it with 
numerous humorous writings for the public 
press under the name of "Eli Perkins," 
which, with his regular contributions to the 
" Commercial Advertiser," brought him into 
notice, and spread his reputation as a hu- 
morist throughout thecountry. He also pub- 
lished "Saratoga in 1891," "Wit, Humor 
and Pathos," "Wit and Humor of the Age," 
•' Kings of Platform and Pulpit, "" Thirty 
Years of Wit and Humor," " Fun and Fact," 
and " China and Japan." 



LEWIS CASS, one of the most prom- 
inent statesman and party leaders of his 
day, was born at Exeter, New Hampshire, 
October 9, 1782. He studied law, and hav- 
ing removed to Zanesville, Ohio, commenced 
the practice of that profession in 1802. He 
entered the service of the American govern- 
ment in 1812 and was made a colonel in 
the army under General William Hull, and 
on the surrender of Fort Maiden by that 
officer was held as a prisoner. Being re- 
leased in 18 1 3, he was promoted to the 
rank of brigadier-general and in 18 14 ap- 
pointed governor of Michigan Territory. 
After he had held that office for some 
sixteen years, negotiating, in the meantime, 
many treaties with the Indians, General 
Cass was made secretary of war in the cabi- 
net of President Jackson, in 1831. He was, 
in 1836, appointed minister to France, 
which office he held for six years. In 1844 
he "vas elected United States senator from 



Michigan. In 1846 General Cass opposed 
the Wilmot Proviso, which was an amend- 
ment to a bill for the purchase of land from 
Mexico, which provided that in any of the 
territory acquired from that power slavery 
should not exist. For this and other reasons 
he was nominated as Democratic candidate 
for the presidency of the United States in 
1848, but was defeated by General Zachary 
Taylor, the Whig candidate, having but 
one hundred and thirty-seven electoral votes 
to his opponent's one hundred and sixty- 
three. In 1849 General Cass was re-elected 
to the senate of the United States, and in 
1854 supported Douglas' Kansas-Nebraska 
bill. He became secretary of state in 
March, 1857, under President Buchanan, 
but resigned that office in December, i860. 
He died June 17, 1866. The published 
works of Lewis Cass, while not numerous, 
are well written and display much ability. 
He was one of the foremost men of his day 
in the political councils of the Democratic 
party, and left a reputation for high probity 
and honor behind him. 



DEWITT CLINTON.— Probably there 
were but few men who were so popular 
in their time, or who have had so much in- 
fluence in moulding events as the individual 
whose name honors the head of this article. 
De Witt Clinton was the son of General 
James Clinton, and a nephew of Governor 
George Clinton, who was the fourth vice- 
president of the United States. He was a 
native of Orange county, New York, born at 
Little Britain, March 2, 1769. He gradu- 
ated from Columbia College, in his native 
state, in 1796, and took up the study of law. 
In 1790 he became private secretary to his 
uncle, then governor of New York. He en- 
tered public life as a Republican or anti- 
Federalist, and was elected to the lower 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 



Ill 



house of the state assembly in 1797, and the 
senate of that body in 1798. At that time 
he was looked on as " the most rising man 
in the Union." In 1801 he was elected to 
the United States senate. In 1803 he was 
appointed by the governor and council 
mayor of the city of New York, then a 
very important and powerful office. Hav- 
ing been re-appointed, he held the office 
of mayor for nearly eleven years, and 
rendered great service to that city. Mr. 
Clinton served as lieutenant-governor of 
the state of New York, 1811-13, and 
was one of the commissioners appointed 
to examine and survey a route for a canal 
from the Hudson river to Lake Erie. Dif- 
fering with President Madison, in relation to 
the war, in 18 12, he was nominated for the 
presidency against that gentleman, by a 
coalition party called the Clintonians, many 
of whom were Federalists. Clinton received 
eight-nine electoral votes. His course at 
this time impaired his popularity for a time. 
He was removed from the mayoralty in 
1814, and retired to private life. In 1815 
he wrote a powerful argument for the con- 
struction of the Erie canal, then a great and 
beneficent work of which he was the prin- 
cipal promoter. This was in the shape of 
a memorial to the legislature, which, in 
18 17, passed a bill authorizing the construc- 
tion of that canal. The same year he was 
elected governor of New York, almost unani- 
mously, notwithstanding the opposition of 
a few who pronounced the scheme of the 
canal visionary. He was re-elected governor 
in 1820. He was at this time, also, presi- 
dent of the canal commissioners. He de- 
clined a re-election to the gubernatorial 
chair in 1822 and was removed from his 
place on the canal board two years later. 
But he was triumphantly elected to the of- 
fice of governor that fall, and his pet project. 



the Erie canal, was finished the next year. 
He was re-elected governor in 1826, but 
died while holding that office, February 11, 



I»2i 



AARON BURR, one of the many brillianf 
figures on the political stage in the early 
days of America, was born at Newark, New 
Jersey, February 6, 1756. He was the son 
of Aaron and Esther Burr, the former the 
president of the College of New Jersey, and 
the latter a daughter of Jonathan Edwards, 
who had been president of the same educa- 
tional institution. Young Burr graduated 
at Princeton in 1772. In 1775 he joined 
the provincial army at Cambridge, Massa- 
chusetts. For a time, he served as a private 
soldier, but later was made an aide on the 
staff of the unfortunate General Montgom- 
ery, in the Quebec expedition. Subse- 
quently he was on the staffs of Arnold, Put- 
nam and Washington, the latter of whom 
he disliked. He was promoted to the rank 
of lieutenant-colonel and commanded a 
brigade on Monmouth's bloody field. In 
1779, on account of feeble health, Colonel 
Burr resigned from the army. He took up 
the practice of law in Albany, New York, 
but subsequently removed to New York City. 
In 1789 he became attorney-general of that 
state. In 1791 he was chosen to represent 
the state of New York in the United States 
senate and held that position for six years. 
In 1800 he and Thomas Jefferson were both 
candidates for the presidency, and there 
being a tie in the electoral college, each 
having seventy-three votes, the choice was 
left to congress, who gave the first place to 
Jefferson and made Aaron Burr vice-presi- 
dent, as the method then was. In 1804 Mr. 
Burr and his great rival, Alexander Hamil- 
ton, met in a duel, which resulted in the 
death of the latter, Burr losing thereby con- 



112 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 



siderable political and social influence. He 
soon embarked in a wild attempt upon 
Mexico, and as was asserted, upon the 
southwestern territories of the United 
States. He was tried for treason at 
Richmond, Virginia, in 1807, but acquitted, 
and to avoid importunate creditors, fled to 
Europe. After a time, in 1812, he returned 
to New York, where he practiced law, and 
where he died, September 14, 1836. A man 
of great ability, brilliant and popular talents, 
his influence was destroyed by his unscrupu- 
lous political actions and immoral private 
life. 

ALBERT GALLATIN, one of the most 
distinguished statesmen of the early 
days of the republic, was born at Geneva, 
Switzerland, January 29, 1761. He was 
the son of Jean de Gallatin and Sophia A. 
Rolaz du Rose}' Gallatin, representatives of 
an old patrician family. Albert Gallatin 
was left an orphan at an early age, and was 
educated under the care of friends of his 
parents. He graduated from the University 
of Geneva in 1779, and declining employ- 
ment under one of the sovereigns of Ger- 
many, came to the struggling colonies, land- 
ing in Boston July 14, 1780. Shortly after 
his arrival he proceeded to Maine, where he 
served as a volunteer under Colonel Allen. 
He made advances to the government for 
the support of the American troops, and in 
November, 1780, was placed in command 
of a small fort at Passamaquoddy, defended 
by a force of militia, volunteers and Indians. 
In 1783 he was professor of the French 
language at Harvard University. A year 
later, having received his patrimony from 
Europe, he purchased large tracts of land 
in western Virginia, but was prevented by 
the Indians from forming the large settle- 
ment he proposed, and, in 1786, purchased 



a farm in Fayette county, Pennsylvania. 
In 1789 he was a member of the convention 
to amend the constitution of that state, and 
united himself with the Republican party, 
the head of which was Thomas Jefferson. 
The following year he was elected to the 
legislature of Pennsylvania, to which he was 
subsequently re-elected. In 1793 he was 
elected to the United States senate, but 
could not take his seat on account of not 
having been a citizen long enough. In 1794 
Mr. Gallatin was elected to the representa- 
tive branch of congress, in which he served 
three terms. He also took an important 
position in the suppression of the "whiskey 
insurrection." In 1801, on the accession of 
Jefferson to the presidency, Mr. Gallatin 
was appointed secretary of the treasury. 
In 1809 Mr. Madison offered him the posi- 
tion of secretary of state, but he declined, 
and continued at the head of the treasury 
until 1812, a period of twelve years. He 
exercised a great influence on the other de- 
partments and in the general administration, 
especially in the matter of financial reform, 
and recommended measures for taxation, 
etc., which were passed by congress, and be- 
came laws May 24, 18 1 3. The same year he 
was sent as an envoy extraordinary to Rus- 
sia, which had offered to mediate between 
this country and Great Britain, but the lat- 
ter country refusing the interposition of 
another power, and agreeing to treat di- 
rectly with the United States, in 18 14, at 
Ghent, Mr. Gallatin, in connection with his 
distinguished colleagues, negotiated and 
signed the treaty of peace. In 1S15, in 
conjunction with Messrs. Adams and Clay, 
he signed, at London, a commercial treaty 
between the two countries. In 18 16, de- 
clining his old post at the head of the treas- 
ury, Mr. Gallatin was sent as minister to 
France, where he remained until 1823. 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 



118 



After a year spent in England as envoy ex- 
traordinary, he took up his residence in New 
York, and from that time held no public 
office. In 1830 he was chosen president of 
the council of the University of New York. 
He was, in 1831, made president of the 
National bank, which position he resigned 
in 1839. He died August 12, 1849. 



M 



ILLARD FILLMORE, the thirteenth 
president of the United States, was 
born of New England parentage in Summer 
Hill, Cayuga county. New York, January 7, 
1800. His school education was very lim- 
ited, but he occupied his leisure hours in 
study. He worked in youth upon his fa- 
ther's farm in his native county, and at the 
age of fifteen was apprenticed to a wool 
carder and cloth dresser. Four years later 
he was induced by Judge Wood to enter his 
office at Montville, New York, and take up 
the study of law. This warm friend, find- 
ing young Fillmore destitute of means, 
loaned him money, but the latter, not wish- 
ing to incur a heavy debt, taught school 
during part of the time and in this and other 
ways helped maintain himself. In 1822 he 
removed to Buffalo, New York, and the year 
following, being admitted to the bar, he 
commenced the practice of his profession 
at East Aurora, in the same state. Here 
he remained until 1830, having, in the 
meantime, been admitted to practice in the 
supreme court, when he returned to Buffalo, 
where he became the partner of S. G. 
Haven and N. K. Hall. He entered poli- 
tics and served in the state legislature from 
1829 to 1832. He was in congress in 1833- 
35 and in 1837-41, where he proved an 
active and useful member, favoring the 
views of John Quincy Adams, then battling 
almost alone the slave-holding party in na- 
tional politics, and in most of public ques- 



tions acted with the Whig party. While 
chairman of the committee of ways and 
means he took a leading part in draughting 
the tariff bill of 1842. In 1S44 Mr. Fill- 
more was the Whig candidate for governor 
of New York. In 1S47 he was chosen 
comptroller of the state, and abandoning 
his practice and profession removed to Al- 
bany. In 1 848 he was elected vice presi- 
dent on the ticket with General Zachary 
Taylor, and they were inaugurated the fol- 
lowing March. On the death of the presi- 
dent, July 9, 1S50, Mr. Fillmore was in- 
ducted into that office. The great events 
of his administration were the passage of 
the famous compromise acts of 1850, and 
the sending out of the Japan expedition of 
1852. 

March 4, 1853, having served one term, 
President Fillmore retired from office, and 
in 1855 went to Europe, where he received 
marked attention. On returning home, in 
1856, he was nominated for the presidency 
by the Native American or "Know-Noth- 
ing" party, but was defeated, James Buch- 
anan being the successful candidate. 

Mr. Fillmore ever afterward lived in re- 
tirement. During the conflict of Civil war 
he was mostly silent. It was generally sup- 
posed, however, that his sympathy was with 
the southern confederacy. He kept aloof 
from the conflict without any words of cheer 
to the one party or the other. For this rea- 
son he was forgotten by both. He died of 
paralysis, in Buffalo, New York, March 8, 
1874- 

PETER F. ROTHERMEL, one of Amer- 
ica's greatest and best-known historical 
painters, was born in Luzerne county, Penn- 
sylvania, July 8, 1817, and was of German 
ancestry. He received his earlier education 
in his native county, and in Philadelphia 



114 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 



learned the profession of land surveying. 
But a strong bias toward art drew him away 
and he soon opened a studio where he did 
portrait painting. This soon gave place to 
historical painting, he having discovered the 
bent of his genius in that direction. Be- 
sides the two pictures in the Capitol at 
Washington — "DeSoto Discovering the Mis- 
sissippi" and "Patrick Henry Before the 
Virginia House of Burgesses" — Rothermel 
painted many others, chief among which 
are: "Columbus Before Queen Isabella," 
"Martyrs of the Colosseum," "Cromwell 
Breaking Up Service in an English Church, " 
and the famous picture of the "Battle 
of Gettysburg." The last named was 
painted for the state of . Pennsylvania, for 
which Rothermel received the sum of $25,- 
000, and which it took him four years to 
plan and to paint. It represents the portion 
of that historic field held by the First corps, 
an exclusively Pennsylvania body of men, 
and was selected by Rothermel for that 
reason. For many years most of his time 
was spent in Italy, only returning for short 
periods. He died at Philadelphia, August 
16, 1895. 

EDMUND KIRBY SMITH, one of the 
distinguished leaders upon the side of the 
south in the late Civil war, was born at St. 
Augustine, Florida, in 1824. After receiv- 
ing the usual education he was appointed to 
the United States Military Academy at West 
Point, from which he graduated in 1845 and 
entered the army as second lieutenant of 
infantry. During the Mexican war he was 
made first lieutenant and captain for gallant 
conduct at Cerro Gordo and Contreras. 
From 1849 to 1852 he was assistant pro- 
fessor of mathematics at West Point. He 
was transferred to the Second cavalry with 
the rank of captain in 1855, served on the 



frontier, and was wounded in a fight with 
Comanche Indians in Texas, May 13, 1859. 
In January, 1861, he became major of his 
regiment, but resigned April 9th to fol- 
low the fortunes of the southern cause. 
He was appointed brigadier-general in the 
Confederate army and served in Virginia. 
At the battle of Bull Run, July 21, 1861, 
he arrived on the field late in the day, but 
was soon disabled by a wound. He was 
made major-general in 1 862, and being trans- 
ferred to East Tennessee, was given com- 
mand of that department. Under General 
Braxton Bragg he led the advance in the 
invasion of Kentucky and defeated the Union 
forces at Richmond, Kentucky, August 30, 

1862, and advanced to Frankfort. Pro- 
moted to the rank of lieutenant-general, he 
was engaged at the battle of Perryville, 
October 10, and in the battle of Murfrees- 
boro, December 31, 1862, and January 3, 

1863. He was soon made general, the 
highest rank in the service, and in com- 
mand of the trans-Mississippi department 
opposed General N. P. Banks in the famous 
Red River expedition, taking part in the 
battle of Jenkins Ferry, April 30, 1864, and 
other engagements of that eventful cam- 
paign. He was the last to surrender the 
forces under his command, which he did 
May 26, 1865. After the close of the war 
he located in Tennessee, where he died 
March 28, 1893. 



JOHN JAMES INGALLS, a famous 
American statesman, was born Decem- 
ber 29, 1833, at Middleton, Massachusetts, 
where he was reared and received his early 
education. He went to Kansas in 1858 
and joined the free-soil army, and a year 
after his arrival he was a member of the his- 
torical Wyandotte convention, which drafted 
a free-state constitution. In i860 he was 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 



lXf> 



made secretary of the territorial council, 
and in 1861 was secretary of the state sen- 
ate. The next year he was duly elected to 
the legitimate state senate from Atchison, 
where he had made his home. From that 
time he was the leader of the radical Re- 
publican element in the state. He became 
the editor of the " Atchison Champion " in 
1863, which was a "red-hot free-soil Re- 
publican organ." In 1862 he was the anti- 
Lane candidate for lieutenant-governor, but 
was defeated. He was elected to the Unit- 
ed States senate to succeed Senator Pom- 
eroy, and took his seat in the forty-third 
congress and served until the fiftieth. In 
the forty-ninth congress he succeeded Sen- 
ator Sherman as president pro tem., which 
position he held through the fiftieth con- 
gress. 

BENJAMIN WEST, the greatest of the 
early American painters, was of Eng- 
lish descent and Quaker parentage. He was 
born in Springfield, Pennsylvania, in 1738. 
From what source he inherited his genius it 
is hard to imagine, since the tenets and 
tendencies of the Quaker faith were not cal- 
culated to encourage the genius of art, but 
at the age of nine years, with no suggestion 
except that of inspiration, we find him choos- 
ing his model from life, and laboring over 
his first work calculated to attract public 
notice. It was a representation of a sleep- 
ing child in its cradle. The brush with 
which he painted it was made of hairs 
which he plucked from the cat's tail, and 
the colors were obtained from the war paints 
of friendly Indians, his mother's indigo bag, 
and ground chalk and charcoal, and the juice 
of berries, but there were touches in the rude 
production that he declared in later days 
were a credit to his best works. The pic- 
ture attracted notice, for a council was 



called at once to pass upon the boy's con- 
duct in thus infringing the laws of the so- 
ciety. There were judges among them who 
saw in his genius a rare gift and their wis- 
dom prevailed, and the child was given per- 
mission to follow his inclination. He studied 
under a painter named Williams, and then 
spent some years as a portrait painter with 
advancing success. At the age of twenty- 
two he went to Italy, and not until he had 
perfected himself by twenty-three years of 
labor in that paradise of art was he satisfied 
to turn his face toward home. However, he 
stopped at London, and decided to settle 
there, sending to America for his intended 
bride to join him. Though the Revolution- 
ary war was raging, King George III showed 
the American artist the highest considera- 
tion and regard. His remuneration from 
works for royalty amounted to five thou- 
sand dollars per year for thirty years. 

West's best known work in America is, 
perhaps, "The Death of General Wolf." 
West was one of the thirty-six original mem- 
bers of the Royal academy and succeeded 
Joshua Reynolds as president, which posi- 
tion he held until his death. His early 
works were his best, as he ceased to display 
originality in his later life, conventionality 
having seriously affected his efforts. He 
died in 1820. 



SAMUEL PORTER JONES, the famous 
Georgia evangelist, was born October 
16, 1847, in Chambers county, Alabama. 
He did not attend school regularly during 
his boyhood, but worked on a farm, and 
went to school at intervals, on account of 
ill health. His father removed to Carters- 
ville, Georgia, when Mr. Jones was a small 
boy. He quit school at the age of nineteen 
and never attended college. The war inter- 
fered with his education, which was intended 



116 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 



to prepare him for the legal profession. 
After the war he renewed his preparation 
for college, but was compelled to desist from 
such a course, as his health failed him en- 
tirely. Later on, however, he still pursued 
his legal studies and was admitted to the 
bar. Soon after this event he went to Dal- 
las, Paulding county, Georgia, where he was 
engaged in the practice of his profession, 
and in a few months removed to Cherokee 
county, Alabama, where he taught school. 
In 1869 he returned to Cartersville, Georgia, 
and arrived in time to see his father die. 
Immediately after this event he applied for 
a license to preach, and went to Atlanta, 
Georgia, to the meeting of the North Geor- 
gia Conference of the M. E. church south, 
which received him on trial. He became 
an evangelist of great note, and traveled 
extensively, delivering his sermons in an 
inimitable style that made him very popular 
with the masses, his methods of conducting 
revivals being unique and original and his 
preaching practical and incisive. 



SHELBY MOORE CULLOM, a national 
character in political affairs and for 
many years United States senator from 
Illinois, was born November 22, 1829, at 
Monticello, Kentucky. He came with his 
parents to Illinois in 1830 and spent his early 
yearsonafarm, but havingformed the purpose 
of devoting himself to the lawyer's profession 
he spent two years study at the Rock River 
seminary at Mount Morris, Illinois. In 1853 
Mr. Cullom entered the law office of Stuart 
and Edwards at Springfield, Illinois, and two 
years later he began the independent prac- 
tice of law in that city. He took an active 
interest in politics and was soon elected city 
attorney of Springfield. In 1856 he was 
elected a member of the Illinois house of 
representatives. He identified himself with 



the newly formed Republican party and in 
i860 was re-elected to the legislature of his 
state, in which he was chosen speaker of the 
house. In 1862 President Lincoln appoint- 
ed a commission to pass upon and examine 
the accounts of the United States quarter- 
masters and disbursing officers, composed 
as follows: Shelby M. Cullom, of Illinois; 
Charles A. Dana, of New York, and 
Gov. Boutwell, of Massachusetts. Mr. 
Cullom was nominated for congress in 
1864, and was elected by a majority of 
1,785. In the house of representatives he 
became an active and aggressive member, 
was chairman of the committee on territories 
and served in congress until 1868. Mr. 
Cullom was returned to the state legislature, 
of which he was chosen speaker in 1872, 
and was re-elected in 1874. In 1876 he 
was elected governor of Illinois and at the 
end of his term he was chosen for a second 
term. He was elected United States senator 
in 1883 and twice re-elected. 



RICHARD JORDAN CATLING, an 
American inventor of much note, was 
born in Hertford county. North Carolina, 
September 12, 1 818. At an early age he 
gave promise of an inventive genius. The 
first emanation from his mind was the 
invention of a screw for the propulsion of 
water craft, but on application for a 
patent, found that he was forestalled but 
a short time by John Ericsson. Subse- 
quently he invented a machine for sowing 
wheat in drills, which was used to a great 
extent throughout the west. He then stud- 
ied medicine, and in 1847-8 attended 
lectures at the Indiana Medical College 
at Laporte, and in 1848-9 at the Ohio 
Medical College at Cincinnati. He later 
discovered a method of transmitting power 
through the medium of compressed air. A 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 



no 



double-acting hemp break was also invented 
by him. The invention, however, by which 
Dr. Gatling became best known was the 
famous machine gun which bears his name. 
This he brought to light in 1861-62, and on 
the first trial of it, in the spring of the latter 
year, two hundred shots per minute were 
fired from it. After making some improve- 
ments which increased its efficiency, it was 
submitted to severe trials by our govern- 
ment at the arsenals at Frankfort, Wash- 
ington and Fortress Monroe, and at other 
points. The gun was finally adopted by 
our government, as well as by that of Great 
Britain, Russia and others. 



BENJAMIN RYAN TILLMAN, who won 
a national fame in politics, was born 
August II, 1847, in Edgefield county. South 
Carolina. He received his education in the 
Oldfield school, where he acquired the 
rudiments of Latin and Greek, in addition 
to a good English education. He left school 
in 1864 to join the Confederate army, but 
was prevented from doing so by a severe 
illness, which resulted in the loss of an eye. 
In 1867 he removed to Florida, but returned 
in 1868, when he was married and devoted 
himself to farming. He was chairman of 
the Democratic organization of his county, 
but except a few occasional services he took 
no active part in politics then. Gradually, 
however, his attention was directed to the 
depressed condition of the farming interests 
of his state, and in August, 1885, before a 
joint meeting of the agricultural society and 
state grange at Bennettsville, he made a 
speech in which he set forth the cause of 
agricultural depression and urged measures 
of relief. From his active interest in the 
farming class he was styled the " Agricult- 
ural Moses." He advocated an industrial 

school for women and for a separate agri- 
7 



cultural college, and in 1887 he secured a 
modification in the final draft of the will of 
Thomas G. Clemson, which resulted in the 
erection of the Clemson Agricultural Col- 
lege at Fort Hill. In 1890 he was chosen 
governor on the Democratic ticket, and 
carried the election by a large majority. 
Governor Tillman was inaugurated Decem- 
ber 4, 1890. Mr. Tillman was next elected 
to the United States senate from South 
Carolina, and gained a national reputation 
by his fervid oratory. 



GEORGE DENISON PRENTICE.— 
No journalist of America was so cele- 
brated in his time for the wit, spice, and 
vigor of his writing, as the gentleman whose 
name heads this sketch. From Atlantic to 
Pacific he was well known by his witticism 
as well as by strength and force of his edi- 
torials. He was a native of Preston, Con- 
necticut, born December 18, 1802. After 
laying the foundation of a liberal education 
in his youth, he entered Brown University, 
from which he was graduated in 1823. Tak- 
ing up the study of law, he was admitted to 
the bar in 1829. During part of his time 
he was editor of the " New England Weekly 
Review," a position which he relinquished 
to go south and was succeeded by John 
Greenleaf Whittier, the Quaker poet. 

On arriving in Louisville, whither he 
had gone to gather items for his history of 
Henry Clay, Mr. Prentice became identified 
with the " Louisville Journal," which, under 
his hands, became one of the leading Whig 
newspapers of the country. At the head of 
this he remained until the day of his death. 
This latter event occurred January 22, 1870, 
and he was succeeded in the control of the 
" Journal " by Colonel Henry Wattcrson. 

Mr. Prentice was an author of consider- 
able celebrity, chief among his works being 



120 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 



"The Life of Henry Clay," and " Prentice- 
ana," a collection of wit and humor, that 
passed through several large editions. 



SAM. HOUSTON, in the opinion of some 
critics one of the most remarkable men 
who ever figured in American history, was a 
native of Rockbridge county, Virginia, born 
March 2, 1793. Early in life he was left in 
destitute circumstances by the death of his 
father, and, with his mother, removed to 
Tennessee, then almost a boundless wilder- 
ness. He received but little education, 
spending the most of his time among the 
Cherokee Indians. Part of the time of his 
residence there Houston acted as clerk for a 
trader and also taught one of the primitive 
schools of the day. In 181 3 he enlisted as 
private in the United States army and was 
engaged under General Jackson in the war 
with the Creek Indians. When peace was 
made Houston was a lieutenant, but he re- 
signed his commission and commenced the 
study of law at Nashville. After holding 
some minor offices he was elected member 
of congress from Tennessee. This was in 
1823. He retained this office until 1827, 
when he was chosen governor of the state. 
In 1829, resigning that office before the ex- 
piration of his term, Sam Houston removed 
to Arkansas, and made his home among the 
Cherokees, becoming the agent of that 
tribe and representing their interests at 
Washington. On a visit to Texas, just 
prior to the election of delegates to a con- 
vention called for the purpose of drawing 
up a constitution previous to the admission 
of the state into the Mexican union, he was 
unanimously chosen a delegate. The con- 
vention framed the constitution, but, it be- 
ing rejected by the government of Mexico, 
and the petition for admission to the Con- 
federacy denied and the Texans told by the 



president of the Mexican union to give up 
their arms, bred trouble. It was determined 
to resist this demand. A military force was 
soon organized, with General Houston at 
the head of it. War was prosecuted with 
great vigor, and with varying success, but 
at the battle of San Jacinto, April 21, 1836, 
the Mexicans were defeated and their leader 
and president, Santa Anna, captured. Texas 
was then proclaimed an independent repub- 
lic, and in October of the same year Hous- 
ton was inaugurated president. On the ad- 
mission of Texas to the Federal Union, in 
1845, Houston was elected senator, and 
held that position for twelve years. Oppos- 
ing the idea of secession, he retired from 
political life in 1861, and died at Hunts- 
ville, Texas, July 25, 1863. 



ELI WHITNEY, the inventor of the cot- 
ton-gin, was born in West borough, Mas- 
sachusetts, December 8, 1765. After his 
graduation from Yale College, he went to 
Georgia, where he studied law, and lived 
with the family of the widow of General 
Nathaniel Greene. At that time the only 
way known to separate the cotton seed from 
the fiber was by hand, making it extremely 
slow and expensive, and for this reason cot- 
ton was little cultivated in this country. 
Mrs. Greene urged the inventive Whitney 
to devise some means for accomplishing 
this work by machinery. This he finally 
succeeded in doing, but he was harassed by 
attempts to defraud him by those who had 
stolen his ideas. He at last formed a part- 
nership with a man named Miller, and they 
began the manufacture of the machines at 
Washington, Georgia, in 1795. The suc- 
cess of his invention was immediate, and the 
legislature of South Carolina voted the sum 
of $50,000 for his idea. This sum he had 
great difficulty in collecting, after years of 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPIIT. 



121 



litigation and delay. North Carolina al-_ 
lowed him a royalty, and the same was 
agreed to by Tennessee, but was never paid. 

While his fame rests upon the invention 
of the cotton-gin, his fortune came from his 
improvements in the manufacture and con- 
struction of firearms. In 1798 the United 
States government gave him a contract for 
this purpose, and he accumulated a fortune 
from it. The town of Whitneyville, Con- 
necticut, was founded by this fortune. 
Whitney died at New Haven, Connecticut, 
January 8, 1825. 

The cotton-gin made the cultivation of 
cotton profitable, and this led to rapid in- 
troduction of slavery in the south. His in- 
vention thus affected our national history in 
a manner little dreamed of by the inventor. 



LESTER WALLACK (John Lester Wal- 
lack), for many years the leading light 
comedian upon the American stage, was 
the son of James W. Wallack, the " Brum- 
mell of the Stage." Both father and son 
were noted for their comeliness of feature 
and form. Lester Wallack was born in 
New York, January i, 18 19. He received 
his education in England, and made his first 
appearance on the stage in 1 848 at the New 
Broadway theater. New York. He acted 
light comedy parts, and also occasion- 
ally in romantic plays like Monte Cristo, 
which play made him his fame. He went 
to England and played under management 
of such men as Hamblin and Burton, and then 
returned to New York with his father, who 
opened the first Wallack's theater, at the 
corner of Broome and Broadway, in 1852. 
The location was afterward changed to 
Thirteenth and Broadway, in 1861, and 
later to its present location, Broadway and 
Thirteenth, in 1882. The elder Wallack 
died in 1864, after which Lester assumed 



management, jointly with Theodore Moss. 
Lester Wallack was commissioned in the 
queen's service while in England, and there 
he also married a sister to the famous artist, 
the late John Everett Millais. While Les- 
ter Wallack never played in the interior 
cities, his name was as familiar to the public 
as that of our greatest stars. He died Sep- 
tember 6, 1888, at Stamford, Connecticut. 



GEORGE MORTIMER PULLMAN, 
the palace car magnate, inventor, 
multi-millionaire and manufacturer, may 
well be classed among the remarkable 
self-made men of the century. He was 
born March 3, 1831, in Chautauqua county. 
New York. His parents were poor, and 
his education was limited to what he could 
learn of the rudimentary branches in the 
district school. At the age of fourteen he 
went to work as clerk for a country mer- 
chant. He kept this place three years, 
studying at night. When seventeen he 
went to Albion, New York, and worked for 
his brother, who kept a cabinet shop there. 
Five years later he went into business for 
himself as contractor for moving buildings 
along the line of the Erie canal, which was 
then being widened by the state, and was 
successful in this. In 1S58 he removed to 
Chicago and engaged in the business of 
moving and raising houses. The work was 
novel there then and he was quite success- 
ful. About this time the discomfort attend- 
ant on traveling at night attracted his at- 
tention. He reasoned that the public would 
gladly pay for comfortable sleeping accom- 
modations. A few sleeping cars were in 
use at that time, but they were wretchedly 
crude, uncomtortable affairs. In 1859 he 
bought two old day coaches from the Chi- 
cago & Alton road and remodeled them some- 
thing like the general plan of the sleepine 



122 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 



cars of the present day. They were put 
into service on the Chicago & Alton and 
became popular at once. In 1863 he built 
the first sleeping-car resembling the Pullman 
cars of to-day. It cost $18,000 and was 
the "Pioneer." After that the Pullman 
Palace Car Company prospered. It had 
shops at different cities. In 1880 the Town 
of Pullman was founded by Mr. Pullman 
and his company, and this model manufac- 
turing community is known all over the 
world. Mr. Pullman died October 19, 1897. 



JAMES E. B. STUART, the most famous 
cavalry leader of the Southern Confed- 
eracy during the Civil war, was born in 
Patrick county, Virginia, in 1833. On 
graduating from the United States Military 
Academy, West Point, in 1854, he was as- 
signed, as second lieutenant, to a regiment 
of mounted rifles, receiving his commission 
in October. In March, 1855, he was trans- 
ferred to the newly organized First cavalry, 
and was promoted to first lieutenant the 
following December, and to captain April 
22, 1861. Taking the side of the south, 
May 14, 1 86 1, he was made colonel of a 
Virginia cavalry regiment, and served as 
such at Bull Run. In September, 1861, he 
was promoted to the rank of brigadier-gen- 
erai, and major-general early in 1862. On 
the reorganization of the Army of Northern 
Virginia, in June of the latter year, when 
R. E. Lee assumed command, General Stu- 
art made a reconnoissance with one thou- 
sand five hundred cavalry and four guns, 
and in two days made the circuit of McClel- 
lan's army, producing much confusion and 
gathering useful information, and losing but 
one man. August 25, 1862, he captured 
part of Pope's headquarters' train, including 
that general's private baggage and official 
correspondence, and the next night, in a 



descent upon Manasses, capturing immense 
quantities of commissary and quartermaster 
store, eight guns, a number of locomotives 
and a few hundred prisoners. During the 
invasion of Maryland, in September, 1862, 
General Stuart acted as rearguard, resisting 
the advance of the Federal cavalry at South 
Mountain, and at Antietam commanded the 
Confederate left. Shortly after he crossed 
the Potomac, making a raid as far as Cham- 
bersburg, Pennsylvania. In the battle of 
Fredericksburg, December 13, 1862, Gen- 
eral Stuart's command was on the extreme 
right of the Confederate line. At Chancel- 
lorsville, after "Stonewall " Jackson's death 
and the wounding of General A. P. Hill, 
General Stuart assumed command of Jack- 
son's corps, which he led in the severe con- 
test of May 3, 1863. Early in June, the 
same year, a large force of cavalry was 
gathered 'under Stuart, at Culpepper, Vir- 
ginia, which, advancing to join General Lee 
in his invasion of Pennsylvania, was met at 
Brandy Station, by two divisions of cavalry 
and two brigades of infantry, under General 
John I. Gregg, and driven back. During the 
movements of the Gettysburg campaign he 
rendered important services. In May, 1864, 
General Stuart succeeded, by a detour, in 
placing himself between Richmond and 
Sheridan's advancing column, and at Yellow 
Tavern was attacked in force. During the 
fierce conflict that ensued General Stuart 
was mortally wounded, and died at Rich- 
mond, May 1 1, 1864. 



FRANKLIN PIERCE, the fourteenth 
president of the United States — from 
1853 until 1857 — was born November 23, 
1804, at Hillsboro, New Hampshire. He 
came of old revolutionary stock and his 
father was a governor of the state. Mr. 
Pierce entered Bowdoin College in 1820, 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPIIT. 



12S 



was graduated in 1824, and took up the 
study of law in the office of Judge Wood- 
bury, and later he was admitted to the bar. 
Mr. Pierce practiced his profession with 
varying successes in his native town and 
also in Concord. He was elected to the 
state legislature in 1833 and served in that 
body until 1837, the last two years of his 
term serving as speaker of the house. He 
was elected to the United States senate in 
1837, just as President Van Buren began 
his term of office. Mr. Pierce served until 
1842, and many times during Polk's term he 
declined important public offices. During 
the war with Mexico Mr. Pierce was ap- 
pointed brigadier-general, and he embarked 
with a portion of his troops at Newport, 
Rhode Island, May 27, 1847, and went with 
them to the field of battle. He served 
through the war and distinguished himself 
by his skill, bravery and excellent judg- 
ment. When he reached his home in his 
native state he was received coldly by the 
opponents of the war, but the advocates of 
the war made up for his cold reception by 
the enthusiastic welcome which they ac- 
corded him. Mr. Pierce resumed the prac- 
tice of his profession, and in the political 
strife that followed he gave his support to 
the pro-slavery wing of the Democratic 
party. The Democratic convention met in 
Baltimore, June 12, 1852, to nominate a 
candidate for the presidency, and they con- 
tinued in session four days, and in thirty- 
five ballotings no one had secured the re- 
quisite two-thirds vote. Mr. Pierce had not 
received a vote as yet, until the Virginia 
delegation brought his name forward, and 
finally on the forty-ninth ballot Mr. Pierce 
received 282 votes and all the other candi- 
dates eleven. His opponent on the Whig 
ticket was General Winfield Scott, who 
only received the electoral votes of four 



states. Mr. Pierce was inaugurated presi- 
dent of the United States March 4, 1853, 
with W. R. King as vice president, and the 
following named gentlemen were afterward 
chosen to fill the positions in the cabinet: 
William S. Marcy, James Guthrie, Jeffer- 
son Davis, James C. Dobbin, Robert Mc- 
Clelland, James Campbell and Caleb Gush- 
ing. During the administration of President 
Pierce the Missouri compromise law was 
repealed, and all the territories of the Union 
were thrown open to slavery, and the dis- 
turbances in Kansas occurred. In 1857 he 
was succeeded in the presidency by James 
Buchanan, and retired to his home in Con- 
cord, New Hampshire. He always cherished 
his principles of slavery, and at the out- 
break of the rebellion he was an adherent of 
the cause of the Confederacy. He died at 
Concord, New Hampshire, October 8, 1869. 



JAMES B. WEAVER, well known as a. 
leader of the Greenback and later of the 
Populist party, was born at Dayton, Ohio, 
June 12, 1833. He received his earlier 
education in the schools of his native town, 
and entered the law department of the Ohio 
University, at Cincinnati, from which he 
graduated in 1854. Removing to the grow- 
ing state of Iowa, he became connected 
with "The Iowa Tribune," at the state 
capital, Des Moines, as one of its editors. 
He afterward practiced law and was elected 
district attorney for the second judicial dis- 
trict of Iowa, on the Republican ticket in 
1866, which office he held for a short time. 
In 1867 Mr. Weaver was appointed assessor 
of internal revenue for the first district of 
Iowa, and filled that position until some- 
time in 1873. He was elected and served 
in the forty-si.\th congress. In 1880 the 
National or Greenback party in convention 
at Chicago, nominated James B. Weaver as 



12-1 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHl. 



its candidate for the presidency. By a 
union of the Democratic and National 
parties in his district, he was elected to the 
forty-ninth congress, and re-elected to the 
same office in the fall of 1886. Mr. Weaver 
was conceded to be a very fluent speaker, 
and quite active in all political work. On 
July 4, 1892, at the National convention 
of the People's party, General James B. 
Weaver was chosen as the candidate for 
president of that organization, and during 
the campaign that followed, 'gained a na- 
tional reputation. 



ANTHONY JOSEPH DREXEL, one 
of the leading bankers and financiers of 
the United States, was born in Philadelphia, 
Pennsylvania, in 1826, and was the son of 
Francis M. Drexel, who had established 
the large banking institution of Drexel & 
Co., so well known. The latter was a native 
of Dornbirn, in the Austrian Tyrol. He 
studied languages and fine arts at Turin, 
Italy. On returning to his mountain home, 
in 1809, and finding it in the hands of the 
French, he went to Switzerland and later 
to Paris. In i8i2,aftera short visit home, 
he went to Berlin, where he studied paint- 
ing until 1817, in which year he emigrated 
io America, and settled in Philadelphia. A 
few years later he went to Chili and Peru, 
where he executed some fine portraits of 
notable people, including General Simon 
Bolivar. After spending some time in Mex- 
ico, he returned to Philadelphia, and en- 
gaged in the banking business. In 1837 he 
founded the house of Drexel & Co. He 
died in 1837, and was succeeded by his two 
sons, Anthony J. and Francis A. His son, 
Anthony J. Drexel, Jr. , entered the bank 
when he was thirteen years of age, before he 
was through with his schooling, and after 
that the history of the banking business of 



which he was the head, was the history of his 
life. The New York house of Drexel, Mor- 
gan & Co. was established in 1850; the 
Paris house, Drexel, Harjes & Co., in 1867. 
The Drexel banking houses have supplied 
land placed hundreds of millions of dollars 
n government, corporation, railroad and 
other loans and securities. The reputation 
of the houses has always been held on the 
highest plane. Mr. Drexel founded and 
heavily endowed the Drexel Institute, in 
Philadelphia, an institution to furnish better 
and wider avenues of employment to young 
people of both sexes. It has departments 
of arts, science, mechanical arts and domes- 
tic economy. Mr. Drexel, Jr. .departed this 
life June 30, 1893. 



SAMUEL FINLEY BREESE MORSE, 
inventor of the recording telegraph in- 
strument, was born in Charlestown, Massa- 
chusetts, April 27, 1 79 1. He graduated 
from Yale College in 1810, and took up art 
as his profession. He went to London with 
the great American painter, Washington 
Allston, and studied in the Royal Academy 
under Benjamin West. His "Dying Her- 
cules," his first effort in sculpture, took the 
gold medal in 1813. He returned to Amer- 
ica in 181 5 and continued to pursue his 
profession. He was greatly interested in 
scientific studies, which he carried on in 
connection with other labors. He founded 
the National Academy of Design and was 
many years its president. He returned to 
Europe and spent three years in study 
in the art centers, Rome, Florence, Venice 
and Paris. In 1832 he returned to America 
and while on the return voyage the idea of 
a recording telegraph apparatus occurred to 
him, and he made a drawing to represent his 
conception. He was the first to occupy the 
chair of fine arts in the University of New 



COMPENDli'M OF BIOGRAPHT. 



125 



York City, and in 1835 he set up his rude 
instrument in his room in the university. 
But it was not until after many years of 
discouragement and reverses of fortune that 
lie finally was successful in placing his inven- 
tion before the public. In 1844, by aid of 
the United States government, he had con- 
structed a telegraph line forty miles in length 
from Washington to Baltimore. Over this 
line the test was made, and the first tele- 
g;raphic message was flashed May 24, 1844, 
from the United States supreme court rooms 
to Baltimore. It read, "What hath God 
wrought!" His fame and fortune were es- 
tablished in an instant. Wealth and honors 
poured in upon him from that day. The 
nations of Europe vied with each other 
in honoring the great inventor with medals, 
titles and decorations, and the learned 
societies of Europe hastened to enroll his 
name upon their membership lists and confer 
degrees. In 1858 he was the recipient of an 
honor never accorded to an inventor before. 
The ten leading nations of Europe, at the 
suggestion of the Emporer Napoleon, ap- 
pointed representatives to an international 
congress, which convened at Paris for the 
special purpose of expressing gratitude of the 
nations, and they voted him a present of 
400,000 francs. 

Professor Morse was present at the unveil- 
ing of a bronze statue erected in his honor in 
Central Park, New York, in 1871. His last 
appearance in public was at the unveiling 
of the statue of Benjamin Franklin in New 
York in 1872, when he made the dedica- 
tory speech and unveiled the statue. He 
died April 2, 1872, in the city of New York. 



MORRISON REMICH WAITE, seventh 
chief justice of the United States, was 
born at Lyme, Connecticut, November 29, 
1816. He was a graduate from Yale Col- 



lege in 1837, in the class with \^'illiam M. 
Evarts. His father was judge of the su- 
preme court of errors of the state of Con- 
necticut, and in his office young Waite 
studied law. He subsequently removed to 
Ohio, and was elected to the legislature of 
that state in 1849. He removed from 
Maumee City to Toledo and became a prom- 
inent legal light in that state. He was 
nominated as a candidate for congress re- 
peatedly but declined to run, and also de- 
clined a place on the supreme bench of the 
state. He won great distinction for his able 
handling of the Alabama claims at Geneva, 
before the arbitration tribunal in 1S71, and 
was appointed chief justice of the supreme 
court of the United States in 1874 on the 
death of Judge Chase. When, in 1876, elec- 
toral commissioners were chosen to decide 
the presidential election controversy between 
Tilden and Hayes, Judge Waite refused to 
serve on that commission. 

His death occurred March 23, 1888. 



ELISHA KENT KANE was one of the 
distinguished American explorers of the 
unknown regions of the frozen north, and 
gave to the world a more accurate knowl- 
edge of the Arctic zone. Dr. Kane was 
born February 3, 1S20, at Philadelphia, 
Pennsylvania. He was a graduate of the 
universities of Virginia and Pennsylvania, 
and took his medical degree in 1843. He 
entered the service of the United States 
navy, and was physician to the Chinese 
embassy. Dr. Kane traveled extensively 
in the Levant, Asia and Western Africa, 
and also served in the Mexican war, in 
which he was severely wounded. His 
first Arctic expedition was under De Haven 
in the first Grinnell expedition in search 
of Sir John Franklin in 1850. He com- 
manded the second Grinnell expedition 



126 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 



in 1853-55, ^n'i discovered an open polar 
sea. For this expedition he received a gold 
medal and other distinctions. He published 
a narrative of his first polar expedition in 
1853, and in 1856 published two volumes 
relating to his second polar expedition. He 
was a man of active, enterprising and cour- 
ageous spirit. His health, which was al- 
ways delicate, was impaired by the hard- 
ships of his Arctic expeditions, from which 
he never fully recovered and from which he 
died February 16, 1857, at Havana. 



ELIZABETH CADY STAJ^TON was a 
daughter of Judge Daniel Cady and 
Margaret Livingston, and was born Novem- 
ber 12, 181 5, at Johnstown, New York. She 
was educated at the Johnstown Academy, 
inhere she studied with a class of boys, and 
A'as fitted for college at the age of fifteen, 
ifter which she pursued her studies at Mrs. 
Willard's Seminary, at Troy. Her atten- 
tion was called to the disabilities of her sex 
by her own educational experiences, and 
through a study of Blackstone, Story, and 
Kent. Miss Cady was married to Henry B. 
Stanton in 1840, and accompanied him to 
the world's anti-slavery convention in Lon- 
don. While there she made the acquain- 
tance of Lucretia Mott. Mrs. Stanton 
resided at Boston until 1847, when the 
family moved to Seneca Falls, New York, 
and she and Lucretia Mott signed the first 
call for a woman's rights convention. The 
meeting was held at her place of residence 
July 19-20, 1848. This was the first oc- 
casion of a formal claim of suffrage for 
women that was made. Mrs. Stanton ad- 
dressed the New York legislature, in 1854, 
on the rights of married women, and in 
i860, in advocacy of the granting of di- 
vorce for drunkenness. She also addressed 
the legislature and the constitutional con- 



vention, and maintained that during the 
revision of the constitution the state was 
resolved into its original elements, and that 
all citizens had, therefore, a right to vote 
for the members of that convention. After 
1869 Mrs. Stanton frequently addressed 
congressional committees and state consti- 
tutional conventions, and she canvassed 
Kansas, Michigan, and other states when 
the question of woman suffrage was sub- 
mitted in those states. Mrs. Stanton was 
one of the editors of the " Revolution," and 
most of the calls and resolutions for con- 
ventions have come from her pen. She 
was president of the national committee, 
also of the Woman's Loyal League, and 
of the National Association, for many years. 



DAVID DUDLEY FIELD, a great 
American jurist., was born in Connecti- 
cut in 1805. He en.c.ca Williams College 
when sixteen years old, and commenced the 
study of law in 1825. In 1828 he was ad- 
mitted to the bar, and went to New York, 
where he soon came into prominence be- 
fore the bar of that state. He entered upon 
the labor of reforming the practice and 
procedure, which was then based upon the 
common law practice of England, and had 
become extremely complicated, difficult and 
uncertain in its application. His first paper 
on this subject was published in 1839, and 
after eight years of continuous efforts in this 
direction, he was appointed one of a com- 
mission by New York to reform the practice 
of that state. The result was embodied in 
the two codes of procedure, civil and crimi- 
nal, the first of which was adopted almost 
entire by the state of New York, and has 
since been adopted by more than half the 
states in the Union, and became the basis 
of the new practice and procedure in Eng- 
land, contained in the Judicature act. He 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 



127 



was later appointed chairman of a new com- 
mission to codify the entire body of laws. 
This great work employed many years in its 
completion, but when finished it embraced 
a civil, penal, ar.d political code, covering 
the entire field of American laws, statutory 
and common. This great body of law was 
adopted by California and Dakota territory 
in its entirety, and many other states have 
since adopted its substance. In 1867 the 
British Association for Social Science heard 
a proposition from Mr. Field to prepare an 
international code. This led to the prepara- 
tion of his " Draft Outlines of an Interna- 
tional Code," which was in fact a complete 
body of international laws, and introduced 
the principle of arbitration. Other of his 
codes of the state of New York have since 
been adopted by that state. 

In addition to his great works on law, 
Mr. Field indulged his literary tastes by fre- 
quent contributions to general literature, 
and his articles on travels, literature, and 
the political questions of the hour gave 
him rank with the best writers of his time. 
His father was the Rev. David Dudley Field, 
and his brothers were Cyrus W. Field, Rev. 
Henry Martin Field, and Justice Stephen 
J. Field of the United States supreme 
court. David Dudley Field died at New 
York, April 13, 1S94. 



HENRY M. TELLER, a celebrated 
American politician, and secretary of 
the interior under President Arthur, was born 
May 23, 1830, in Allegany county, New 
York. He was of Hollandish ancestry and 
received an excellent education, after which 
he took up the study of law and was ad- 
mitted to the bar in the state of New York. 
Mr. Teller removed to Illinois in January, 
1858, and practiced for three years in that 
state. From thence he moved to Colorado 



in 1 86 1 and located at Central City, which 
was then one of the principal mining towns 
in the state. His exceptional abilities as 
a lawyer soon brought him into prominence 
and gained for him a numerous and profit- 
able clientage. In politics he afifiliated with 
the Republican party, but declined to become 
a candidate for office until the admission of 
Colorado into the Union as a state, when 
he was elected to the United States senate. 
Mr. Teller drew the term ending March 
4, 1877, but was re-elected December 11, 
1876, and served until April 17, 1882, when 
he was appointed by President Arthur as 
secretary of the interior. He accepted a 
cabinet position with reluctance, and on 
March 3, 1885, he retired from the cabinet, 
having been elected to the senate a short 
time before to succeed Nathaniel P. Hill. 
Mr. Teller took his seat on March 4, 1885, 
in the senate, to which he was afterward 
re-elected. He served as chairman on the 
committee of pensions, patents, mines and 
mining, and was also a member of commit- 
tees on claims, railroads, privileges and 
elections and public lands. Mr. Teller came 
to be recognized as one of the ablest advo- 
cates of the silver cause. He was one of the 
delegates to the Republican National conven- 
tion at St. Louis in 1896, in which he took 
an active part and tried to have a silver 
plank inserted in the platform of the party. 
Failing in this he felt impelled to bolt the 
convention, which he did and joined forces 
with the great silver mdVement in the cam- 
paign which followed, being recognized in 
that campaign as one of the most able and 
eminent advocates of "silver" in America. 



JOHN ERICSSON, an eminent inven- 
tor and machinist, who won fame in 
America, was born in Sweden, July 31,1 803. 
In early childhood he evinced a decided in- 



128 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 



clination to mechanical pursuits, and at the 
age of eleven he was appointed to a cadet - 
ship in the engineer corps, and at the age of 
seventeen was promoted to a lieutenancy. 
In 1826 he introduced a "flame engine," 
which he had invented, and offered it to 
English capitalists, but it was found that it 
could be operated only by the use of wood 
for fuel. Shortly after this he resigned his 
commission in the army of Sweden, and de- 
voted himself to mechanical pursuits. He 
discovered and introduced the principle of 
artificial draughts in steam boilers, and re- 
ceived a prize of two thousand five hundred 
dollars for his locomotive, the "Novelty," 
which attained a great speed, for that day. 
The artificial draught effected a great saving 
in fuel and made unnecessary the huge 
smoke-stacks formerly used, and the princi- 
ple is still applied, in modified form, in boil- 
ers. He also invented a steam fire-engine, 
and later a hot-air engine, which he at- 
tempted to apply in the operation of his 
ship, "Ericsson," but as it did not give the 
speed required, he abandoned it, but after- 
wards applied it to machinery for pumping, 
hoisting, etc. 

Ericsson was first to apply the screw 
propeller to navigation. The English peo- 
ple not receiving this new departure readily, 
Ericsson came to America in 1839, and 
built the United States steamer, "Prince- 
ton," in which the screw-propeller was util- 
ized, the first steamer ever built in which 
the propeller was under water, out of range 
of the enemy's shots. The achievement 
which gave him greatest renown, however, 
was the ironclad vessel, the "Monitor," an 
entirely new type of vessel, which, in March, 
1862, attacked the Confederate monster 
ironclad ram, "Virginia," and after a fierce 
struggle, compelled her to withdraw from 
Hampton Roads for repairs. After the war 



one of his most noted inventions was his 
vessel, " Destroyer, " with a submarine gun, 
which carried a projectile torpedo. In 1886 
the king of Spain conferred on him the 
grand cross of the Order of Naval Merit. 
He died in March, 1889, and his body was 
transferred, with naval honors, to the country 
of his birth. 

JAMES BUCHANAN, the fifteenth presi- 
dent of the United States, was a native 
of Pennsylvania, and was born in Franklin 
county, April 23, 1791. He was of Irish 
ancestry, his father having come to this 
country in 1783, in quite humble circum- 
stances, and settled in the western part of 
the Keystone state. 

James Buchanan remained in his se- 
cluded home for eight years, enjoying but 
few social or intellectual advantages. His 
parents were industrious and frugal, and 
prospered, and, in 1799, the family removed 
to Mercersbur Pennsylvania, where he 
was placed in school. His progress was 
rapid, and in 1801 he entered Dickinson 
College, at Carlisle, where he took his place 
among the best scholars in the institution. 
In 1809 he graduated with the highest hon- 
ors in his class. He was then eighteen, tall, 
graceful and in vigorous health. He com- 
menced the study of law at Lancaster, and 
was admitted to the bar in 18 12. He rose 
very rapidly in his profession and took a 
stand with the ablest of his fellow lawyers. 
When but twenty-six years old he success- 
fully defended, unaided by counsel, one of 
the judges of the state who was before the 
bar of the state senate under articles of im- 
peachment. 

During the war of 1812-15, Mr. Buch- 
anan sustained the government with all his 
power, eloquently urging the vigorous prose- 
cution of the war, and enlisted as a private 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 



129 



volunteer to assist in repelling the British 
who had sacked and burned the public 
buildings of Washington and threatened 
Baltimore. At that time Buchanan was 
a Federalist, but the opposition of that 
party to the war with Great Britain and the 
alien and sedition laws of John Adams, 
brought that party into disrepute, and drove 
many, among them Buchanan, into the Re- 
publican, or anti-Federalist ranks. He was 
elected to congress in 1828. In 1831 he 
was sent as minister to Russia, and upon 
his return to this countrj', in 1833, was ele- 
vated to the United States senate, and re- 
mained in that position for twelve years. 
Upon the accession of President Polk to 
office he made Mr. Buchanan secretary of 
state. Four years later he retired to pri- 
vate life, and in 1853 he was honored with 
the mission to England. In 1856 the na- 
tional Democratic convention nominated 
him for the presidency and he was elected. 
It was during his administration that the 
rising tide of the secession movement over- 
took the country. Mr. Buchanan declared 
that the national constitution gave him no 
power to do anything against the movement 
to break up the Union. After his succession 
by Abraham Lincoln in i860, Mr. Buchanan 
retired to his home at Wheatland, Pennsyl- 
vania, where he died June i, 1868. 



JOHN HARVARD, the founder of the 
Harvard Universitj', was born in Eng- 
land about the year 1608. He received his 
education at Emanuel College, Cambridge, 
and came to America in 1637, settling in 
Massachusetts. He was a non-conformist 
minister, and a tract of land was set aside 
for him in Charlestown, near Boston. He 
was at once appointed one of a committee to 
formulate a body of laws for the colony. 
One year before his arrival in the colony 



the general court had voted the sum of four 
hundred pounds toward the establishment of 
a school or college, half of which was to be 
paid the next year In 1637 preliminary 
plans were made for starting the school. In 
1638 John Harvard, who had shown great 
interest in the new institution of learning 
proposed, died, leaving his entire property, 
about twice the sum originally voted, to the 
school, together with three hundred volumes 
as a nucleus for a library. The institution 
was then given the name of Harvard, and 
established at Newton (now Cambridge), 
Massachusetts. It grew to be one of the two 
principal seats of learning in the new world, 
and has maintained its reputation since. It 
now consists of twenty-two separate build- 
ings, and its curriculum embraces over one 
hundred and seventy elective courses, and it 
ranks among the great universities of the 
world. 

ROGER BROOKE TANEY, a noted 
jurist and chief justice of the United 
States supreme court, was born in Calvert 
county, Maryland, March 17, 1777. He 
graduated fiom Dickinson College at the 
age of eighteen, took up the study of law, 
and was admitted to the bar in 1799. He 
was chosen to the legislature from his county, 
and in 1801 removed to Frederick, Mary- 
land. He became United States senator 
from Maryland in 18 16, and took up his 
permanent residence in Baltimore a few 
years later. In 1824 he became an ardent 
admirer and supporter of Andrew Jackson, 
and upon Jackson's election to the presi- 
dency, was appointed attorney general of 
the United States. Two years later he was 
appointed secretary of the treasury, and 
after serving in that capacity for nearly one 
year, the senate refused to confirm the ap- 
pointment. In 1835, upon the death of 



130 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 



Cbief-justice Marshall, he was appointed to 
that place, and a political change having 
occurred, in the make up of the senate, he 
was confirmed in 1836. He presided at 
his first session in January of the following 
year. 

The case which suggests itself first to 
the average reader in connection with this 
jurist is the celebrated " Dred Scott " case, 
which came before the supreme court for 
decision in 1856. In his opinion, delivered 
on behalf of a majority of the court, one 
remarkable statement occurs as a result of 
an exhaustive survey of the historical 
grounds, to the effect that ' ' for more than 
a century prior to the adoption of the con- 
stitution they (Africans) had been regarded 
so far inferior that they had no rights which 
a white man was bound to respect." Judge 
Taney retained the office of chief justice 
until his death, in 1864. 



JOHN LOTHROP MOTLEY.— This gen- 
tleman had a world-wide reputation as 
an historian, which placed him in the front 
rank of the great men of America. He was 
born April 15, 18 14, at Dorchester, Massa- 
chusetts, was given a thorough preparatory 
education and then attended Harvard, from 
which he was graduated in 1831. He also 
studied at Gottingen and Berlin, read law 
and in 1836 was admitted to the bar. In 
1 84 1 he was appointed secretary of the 
legation at St. Petersburg, and in 1866-67 
served as United States minister to Austria, 
serving in the same capacity during 1869 
and 1870 to England. In 1856, after long 
and exhaustive research and preparation, he 
published in Lordon "The Rise of the 
Dutch Republic." It embraced three vol- 
umes and immediately attracted great at- 
tention throughout Europe and America as 
a work of unusual merit. From 1861 to 



1868 he produced "The History of the 
United Netherlands," in four volumes. 
Other works followed, with equal success, 
and his position as one of the foremost his- 
torians and writers of his day was firmly 
established. His death occured May 29, 
1877- 

ELIAS HOWE, the inventor of the sew- 
ing machine, well deserves to be classed 
among the great and noted men of Amer- 
ica. He was the son of a miller and farmer 
and was born at Spencer, Massachusetts, 
July 9, 1 8 19. In 1835 he went to Lowell 
and worked there, and later at Boston, in the 
machine shops. His first sewing machine 
was completed in 1 845 , and he patented it in 
1846, laboring with the greatest persistency 
in spite of poverty and hardships, working 
for a time as an engine driver on a railroad 
at pauper wages and with broken health. 
He then spent two years of unsuccessful ex- 
ertion in England, striving in vain to bring 
his invention into public notice and use. 
He returned to the United States in almost 
hopeless poverty, to find that his patent 
had been violated. At last, however, he 
found friends who assisted him financially, 
and after years of litigation he made good 
his claims in the courts in 1854. His inven- 
tion afterward brought him a large fortune. 
During the Civil war he volunteered as a 
private in the Seventeenth Connecticut Vol- 
unteers, and served for some time. During 
his life time he received the cross of the 
Legion of Honor and many other medals. 
His death occurred October 3, 1867, at 
Brooklyn, New York. 



PHILLIPS BROOKS, celebrated as an 
eloquent preacher and able pulpit ora- 
tor, was born in Boston on the 13th day of 
December, 1835. He received excellent 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 



131 



educational advantages, and graduated at 
Harvard in 1855. Early in life he decided 
upon the ministry as his life work and 
studied theology in the Episcopal Theolog- 
ical Seminary, at Alexandria, Virginia. In 
1859 he was ordained and the same year 
became pastor of the Church of the Advent, 
in Philadelphia. Three years later he as- 
sumed the pastorate of the Church of the 
Holy Trinity, where he remained until 1870. 
At the expiration of that time he accepted 
the pastoral charge of Trinity Church in 
Boston, where his eloquence and ability at- 
tracted much attention and built up a pow- 
erful church organization. Dr. Brooks also 
devoted considerable time to lecturing and 
literary work and attained prominence in 
these lines. 

WILLIAM B. ALLISON, a statesman 
of national reputation and one of the 
leaders of the Republican party, was born 
March 2, 1829, at Perry, Ohio. He grew 
up on his father's farm, which he assisted 
in cultivating, and attended the district 
school. When sixteen years old he went 
to the academy at Wooster, and subse- 
quently spent a year at the Allegheny Col- 
lege, at Meadville, Pennsylvania. He next 
taught school and spent another year at the 
Western Reserve College, at Hudson, Ohio. 
Mr. Allison then took up the study of law 
at Wooster, where he was admitted to the 
bar in 1 85 1, and soon obtained a position 
as deputy county clerk. His political lean- 
ings were toward the old line Whigs, who 
afterward laid the foundation of the Repub- 
lican party. He was a delegate to the state 
convention in 1856, in the campaign of 
which he supported Fremont for president. 
Mr. Allison removed to Dubuque, Iowa, 
in the following year. He rapidly rose to 
prominence at the bar and in politics. In 



i860 he was chosen as a delegate to the 
Republican convention held in Chicago, of 
which he was elected one of the secretaries. 
At the outbreak of the civil war he was ap- 
pointed on the staff of the governor. His 
congressional career opened in 1862, when 
he was elected to the thirty-eighth congress; 
he was re-elected three times, serving from 
March 4, 1863, to March 3, 1871. He was 
a member of the ways and means committee 
a good part of his term. His career in the 
United States senate began in 1873, and he 
rapidly rose to eminence in national affairs, 
his service of a quarter of a century in that 
body being marked by close fealty to the 
Republican party. He twice declined the 
portfolio of the treasury tendered him by 
Garfield and Harrison, and his name was 
prominently mentioned for the presidency 
at several national Republican conventions. 



M 



ARY ASHTON LIVERMORE, lec- 
turer and writer, was born in Boston, 
December 19, 1821. She was the daughter 
of Timothy Rice, and married D. P. Liver- 
more, a preacher of the Universalist church. 
She contributed able articles to many of the 
most noted periodicals of this country and 
England. During the Civil war she labored 
zealously and with success on behalf of the 
sanitary commission which played so impor- 
tant a part during that great struggle. She 
became editor of the " Woman's Journal," 
published at Boston in 1870. 

She held a prominent place as a public 
speaker and writer on woman's suffrage, 
temperance, social and religious questions, 
and her influence was great in every cause 
she advocated. 



JOHN B. GOUGH, a noted temperance 
lecturer, who won his fame in America, 
was born in the village of Sandgate, Kent, 



132 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 



England, August 22, 1817. He came to 
the United States at the age of twelve. 
He followed the trade of bookbinder, and 
lived in great poverty on account of the 
liquor habit. In 1843, however, he re- 
formed, and began his career as a temper- 
ance lecturer. He worked zealously in the 
cause of temperance, and his lectures and 
published articles revealed great earnestness. 
He formed temperance societies throughout 
the entire country, and labored with great 
success. He visited England in the same 
cause about the year 1853 and again in 
1878. He also lectured upon many other 
topics, in which he attained a wide reputa- 
tion. His death occurred February 18, 
1886. 

THOMAS BUCHANAN READ, author, 
sculptor and painter, was born in Ches- 
ter county, Pennsylvania, March 12, 1822. 
He early evinced a taste for art, and began 
the study of sculpture in Cincinnati. Latei- 
he found painting more to his liking. He 
went to New York, where he followed this 
profession, and later to Boston. In 1846 
he located in Philadelphia. He visited 
Italy in 1850, and studied at Florence, 
where he resided almost continuously for 
twenty-two years. He returned to America 
in 1872, and died in New York May 11 of 
the same year. 

He was the author of many heroic 
poems, but the one giving him the most re- 
nown is his famous "Sheridan's Ride," of 
which he has also left a representation in 
painting. 

EUGENE V. DEBS, the former famous 
president of the American Railway 
Union, and great labor leader, was born in 
the city of Terre Haute, Indiana, in 1855. 
He received his education in the public 



schools of that place and at the age of 
sixteen years began work as a painter in 
the Vandalia shops. After this, for some 
three years, he was employed as a loco- 
motive fireman on the same road. His 
first appearance in public life was in his 
canvass for the election to the office of city 
clerk of Terre Haute. In this capacity he 
served two terms, and when twenty six 
years of age was elected a member of the 
legislature of the state of Indiana. While 
a member of that body he secured the 
passage of several bills in the interest of 
organized labor, of which he was always 
a faithful champion. Mr. Debs' speech 
nominating Daniel Voorhees for the United 
States senate gave him a wide reputation for 
oratory. On the expiration of his term in 
the legislature, he was elected grand secre- 
tary and treasurer of the Brotherhood of 
Locomotive Fireman and filled that office 
for fourteen successive years. He was 
always an earnest advocate of confederation 
of railroad men and it was mainly through 
his efforts that the United Order of Railway 
Employes, composed of the Brotherhood 
of Railway Trainmen and Conductors, 
Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and 
the Switchmen's Mutual Aid Association was 
formed, and he became a member of its 
supreme council. The order was dissolved 
by disagreement between two of its leading 
orders, and then Mr. Debs conceived the 
idea of the American Railway Union. He 
worked on the details and the union came 
into existence in Chicago, June 20, 1 893. For 
a time it prospered and became one of the 
largest bodies of railway men in the world. 
It wort in a contest with the Great Northern 
Railway. In the strike made by the union 
in sympathy with the Pullman employes 
inaugurated in Chicago June 25, 1S94, and 
the consequent rioting, the Railway Union 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 



1153 



lost much prestige and Mr. Debs, in company 
with others of the officers, being held as in con- 
tempt of the United States courts, he suffered 
a sentence of six months in jail at Wood- 
stock, McHenry county, Illinois. In 1897 
Mr. Debs, on the demise of the American 
Railway Union, organized the Social 
Democracy, an institution founded on the 
best lines of the communistic idea, which 
was to provide homes and employment for 
its members. 



JOHN G. CARLISLE, famous as a law- 
yer, congressman, senator and cabinet 
officer, was born in Campbell (now Kenton) 
county, Kentucky, September 5, 1835, on a 
farm. He received the usual education oi 
the time'and began at an early age to teach 
school and, at the same time, the study of 
law. Soon opportunity offered and he 
entered an office in Covington, Kentucky, 
and was admitted to practice at the bar in 
1858. Politics attracted his attention and 
in 1859 he was elected to the house of rep- 
resentatives in the legislature of his native 
state. On the outbreak of the war in 1861, 
he embraced the cause of the Union and was 
largely instrumental in preserving Kentucky 
to the federal cause. He resumed his legal 
practice for a time and declined a nomina- 
tion as presidential elector in 1864. In 
1866 and again in 1869 Mr. Carlisle was 
elected to the senate of Kentucky. He re- 
signed this position in 1871 and was chosen 
lieutenant governor of the state, which office 
he held until 1875. He was one of the 
presidential electors-at-large for Ken- 
tucky in 1876. He first entered congress in 
1877, and soon became a prominent leader 
on the Democratic side of the house of rep- 
resentatives, and continued a member of 
that body through the forty-si.xth, forty- 
seventh, forty-eighth and forty-ninth con- 



gresses, and was speaker of the house during 
the two latter. He was elected to the 
United States senate to succeed Senator 
Blackburn, and remained a member of that 
branch of congress until March, 1893, when 
he was appointed secretary of the treasury. 
He performed the duties of that high office 
until March 4, 1897, throughout the en- 
tire second administration of President 
Cleveland. His ability and many years of 
public service gave him a national reputa- 
tion. 



FRANCES E. WILLARD, for many years 
presidfent of the 'Woman's Christian 
Temperance Union, and a noted American 
lecturer and writer, was born in Rochester, 
New York, September 28, 1839. Graduating 
from the Northwestern Female College at the 
age of nineteen she began teaching and met 
with great success in many cities of the west. 
She was made directress of Genesee Wes- 
leyan Seminary at Lima, Ohio, in 1867, and 
four years later was elected president of the 
Evanston College for young ladies, a branch 
of the Northwestern University. 

During the two years succeeding 1869 
she traveled extensively in Europe and the 
east, visiting Egypt and Palestine, and 
gathering materials for a valuable course of 
lectures, which she delivered at Chicago on 
her return. She became very popular, and 
won great influence in the temperance 
cause. Her work as president of the Wo- 
man's Christian Temperance Union greatly 
strengthened that society, and she made 
frequent trips to Europe in the interest of 
that cause. 

RICHARD OLNEY.— Among the promi- 
nent men who were members of the 
cabinet of President Cleveland in his second 
administration, the gentleman whose name 



134 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 



heads this sketch held a leading place, oc- 
cupying the positions of attorney general 
and secretary of state. 

Mr. Olney came from one of the oldest 
and most honored New England families; 
the first of his ancestors to come from Eng- 
land settled in Massachusetts in 1635. This 
was Thomas Olney. He was a friend and 
co-religionist of Roger Williams, and when 
the latter moved to what is now Rhode 
Island, went with him and became one of 
the founders of Providence Plantations. 

Richard Olney was born in Oxford, 
Massachusetts, in 1835, and received the 
elements of his earlier education iii the com- 
mon schools which New England is so proud 
of. He entered Brown University, from 
which he graduated in 1856, and passed the 
Harvard law school two years later. He 
began the practice of his profession with 
Judge B. F. Thomas, a prominent man of 
that locality. For years Richard Olney was 
regarded as one of the ablest and most 
learned lawyers in Massachusetts. Twice 
he was offered a place on the bench of the 
supreme court of the state, but both times 
he declined. He was always a Democrat 
in his political tenets, and for many years 
was a trusted counsellor of members of that 
party. In 1874 Mr. Olney was elected a 
member of the legislature. In 1876, during 
the heated presidential campaign, to 
strengthen the cause of Mr. Tilden in the 
New England states, it was intimated that 
in the event of that gentleman's election to 
the presidency, Mr. Olney would be attor- 
aey general. 

When Grover Cleveland was elected presi- 
'•ent of the United States, on his inaugura- 
tion in March, 1893, he tendered the posi- 
tion of attorney general to Richard Olney. 
This was accepted, and that gentleman ful- 
filled the duties of the office until the death 



of Walter Q. Gresham, in May, 1895, made 
vacant the position of secretary of state. 
This post was filled by the appointment of 
Mr. Olney. While occupying the later 
office, Mr. Olney brought himself into inter- 
national prominence by some very able state 
papers. 

JOHN J-\Y KNOX, for many years comp- 
troller of the currency, and an eminent 
financier, was born in Knoxboro, Oneida 
county, New York, May 19, 1828. He re- 
ceived a good education and graduated at 
Hamilton College in 1849. For about 
thirteen years he was engaged as a private 
banker, or in a position in a bank, where 
he laid the foundation of his knowledge of 
the laws of finance. In 1862, Salmon P. 
Chase, then secretary of the treatury, ap- 
pointed him to an office in that department 
of the government, and later he had charge 
of the mint coinage correspondence. In 1 867 
Mr. Knox was made deputy comptroller 
of the currency, and in that capacit}-, in 
1870, he made two reports on the mint 
service, with a codification of the mint and 
coinage laws of the United States, and 
suggesting many important amendments 
These reports were ordered printed by reso- 
lution of congress. The bill which he pre- 
pared, with some slight changes, was sub- 
sequently passed, and has been known in 
history as the " Coinage Act of 1873." 

In 1872 Mr. Knox wrs appointed comp- 
troller of the currency, and held that re- 
sponsible position until 1884, when he re- 
signed. He then accepted the position of 
president of the National Bank of the Re- 
public, of New York City, which institution 
he served for many years. He was the 
author of " United States Notes," published 
in 1884. In the reports spoken of above, a 
history of the two United States banks is 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 



135 



given, together with that of the state and 
national banking system, and much valuable 
statistical matter relating to kindred sub- 
jects. 

NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE.— In the 
opinion of many critics Hawthorne is 
pronounced the foremost American novelist, 
and in his peculiar vein of romance is said 
to be without a peer. His reputation is 
world-wide, and his ability as a writer is 
recognized abroad as well as at home. 
He was born July 4, 1804, at Salem, Massa- 
chusetts. On account of feeble health he 
spent some years of his boyhood on a farm 
near Raymond, Maine. He laid the foun- 
dation of a liberal education in his youth, 
and entered Bowdoin College, from which 
he graduated in 1825 in the same class with 
H W Longfellow and John S. C. Abbott. 
He then returned to Salem, where he gave 
his attention to literature, publishing several 
tales and other articles in various periodi- 
cals. His first venture in the field of ro- 
mance, " Fanshaw," proved a failure. In 
1836 he removed to Boston, and became 
editor of the "American Magazine," which 
soon passed out of existence. In 1837 he 
published " Twice Told Tales," which were 
chiefly made up of his former contributions 
to magazines. In 1838-41 he held a posi- 
tion in the Boston custom house, but later 
took part in the "Brook farm experiment," 
a socialistic idea after the plan of Fourier. 
In 1843 he was married and took up his 
residence at the old parsonage at Concord, 
Massachusetts, which he immortalized in 
his next work, " Mosses From an Old 
Manse," published in 1846. From the lat- 
ter date until 1850 he was surveyor of the 
port of Salem, and while thus employed 
wrote one of his strongest works, "The 
Scarlet Letter." For the succeeding two 

8 



years Lenox, Massachusetts, was his home, 
and the " House of the Seven Gables" was 
produced there, as well as the " Blithedale 
Romance." In 1852 he published a "Life 
of Franklin Pierce," a college friend whom 
he warmly regarded. In 1853 he was ap- 
pointed United States consul to Liverpool, 
England, where he remained some years, 
after which he spent some time in Italy. 
On returning to his native land he took up 
his residence at Concord, Massachusetts. 
While taking a trip for his health with ex- 
President Pierce, he died at Plymouth, New 
Hampshire, May 19, 1864. In addition to 
the works mentioned above Mr. Hawthorne 
gave to the world the following books: 
" True Stories from History," "The Won- 
der Book," "The Snow Image," "Tangle- 
wood Tales," "The Marble Faun," and 
' ' Our Old Home. " After his death appeared 
a series of "Notebooks," edited by his wife, 
Sophia P. Hawthorne; " Septimius Felton," 
edited by his daughter, Una, and "Dr. 
Grimshaw's Secret," put into shape by his 
talented son, Julian. He left an unfinished 
work called " Dolliver Romance," which has 
been published just as he left it. 



ABRAHAM LINCOLN, sixteenth presi- 
dent of the United States, was born 
February 12, 1809, in Larue county (Har- 
din county), Kentucky, in a log-cabin near 
Hudgensville. When he was eight years 
old he removed with his parents to Indiana, 
near the Ohio river, and a year later his 
mother died. His father then married Mrs. 
Elizabeth (Bush) Johnston, of Elizabeth- 
town, Kentucky, who proved a kind of fos- 
ter-mother to Abraham, and encouraged 
him to study. He worked as a farm hand 
and as a clerk in a store at Gentryville, and 
was noted for his athletic feats and strength, 
fondness for debate, a fund of humorous 



136 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 



anecdote, as well as the composition of rude 
verses. He made a trip at the age of nine- 
teen to New Orleans on a flat-boat, and set- 
tled in Illinois in 1830. He assisted his 
father to build a log house and clear a farm 
on the Sangamon river near Decatur, Illinois, 
and split the rails with which to fence it. In 
185 1 he was employed in the building of a 
flat-boat on the Sangamon, and to run it to 
New Orleans. The voyage gave him anew 
insight into the horrors of slavery in the 
south. On his return he settled at New 
Salem and engaged, first as a clerk in a store, 
then as grocer, surveyor and postmaster, and 
he piloted the first steamboat that as- 
cended the Sangamon. He participated in 
the Black Hawk war as captain of volun- 
teers, and after his return he studied law, 
interested himself in politics, and became 
prominent locally as a public speaker. He 
was elected to the legislature in 1834 as a 
" Clay Whig, " and began at once to dis- 
play a command of language and forcible 
rhetoric that made him a match for his 
more cultured opponents. He was ad- 
mitted to the bar in 1837, and began prac- 
tice at Springfield. He married a lady of a 
prominent Kentucky family in 1842. He 
was active in the presidential campaigns of 
1840 and 1844 and was an elector on the 
Harrison and Clay tickets, and was elected 
to congress in 1846, over Peter Cartwright. 
He voted for the Wilniot proviso and the 
abolition of slavery in the District of Colum- 
bia, and opposed the war with Mexico, but 
gained little prominence during his two 
years' service. He then returned to Spring- 
field and devoted his attention to law, tak- 
ing little interest in politics, until the repeal 
of the Missouri compromise and the passage 
of the Kansas-Nebraska bill in 1854. This 
awakened his interest in politics again and 
he attacked the champion of that measure, 



Stephen A. Douglas, in a speech at Spring- 
field that made him famous, and is said 
by those who heard it to be the greatest 
speech of his life. Lincoln was selected as 
candidate for the United States senate, but 
was defeated by Trumbull. Upon the pas- 
sage of the Kansas-Nebraska bill the Whig 
party suddenly went to pieces, and the Re- 
publican party gathered head. At the 
Bloomington Republican convention in 1856 
Lincoln made an effective address in which 
he first took a position antagonistic to the ex- 
istence of slavery. He was a Fremont elector 
and received a strong support for nomina- 
tion as vice-president in the Philadelphia 
convention. In 1858 he was the unanimous 
choice of the Republicans for the United 
States senate, and the great campaign of de- 
bate which followed resulted in the election 
of Douglas, but established Lincoln's repu- 
tation as the leading exponent of Republican 
doctrines. He began to be mentioned in 
Illinois as candidate for the presidency, and 
a course of addresses in the eastern states 
attracted favorable attention. When the 
national convention met at Chicago, his 
rivals, Chase, Seward, Bates and others, 
were compelled to retire before the western 
giant, and he was nominated, with Hannibal 
Hamlin as his running mate. The Demo- 
cratic party had now been disrupted, and 
Lincoln's election assured. He carried 
practically every northern state, and the 
secession of South Carolina, followed by a 
number of the gulf states, took place before 
his inauguration. Lincoln is the only presi- 
dent who was ever compelled to reach 
Washington in a secret manner. He es- 
caped assassination by avoiding Baltimore, 
and was quietly inaugurated March 4, 1861. 
His inaugural address was firm but con- 
ciliatory, and he said to the secessionists: 
"You have no oath registered in heaven 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 



137 



to destroy the government, while I have the 
most solemn one to preserve, protect and 
defend it.' He made up his cabinet chiefly 
of those political rivals in his own party — 
Seward, Chase, Cameron, Bates — and se- 
cured the co-operation of the Douglas Dem- 
ocrats. His great deeds, amidst the heat 
and turmoil of war, were: His call for 
seventy-five thousand volunteers, and the 
blockading of southern ports; calling of con- 
gress in extra session, July 14, 1861, and 
obtaining four hundred thousand men and 
four hundred million dollars for the prosecu- 
tion of the war; appointing Stanton secre- 
tary of war; issuing the emancipation proc- 
lamation; calling three hundred thou- 
sand volunteers; address at Gettysburg 
cemetery; commissioned Grant as lieuten- 
ant-general and commander-in-chief of the 
armies of the United States; his second 
inaugural address; his visit to the army be- 
fore Richmond, and his entry into Rich- 
mond the day after its surrender. 

Abraham Lincoln was shot by John 
VVi'kes Booth in a box in Ford's theater 
at Washington the night of April 14, 1865, 
and e.xpired the following morning. His 
body was buried at Oak Ridge cemetery, 
Springfield, Illinois, and a monument com- 
memorating his great work marks his resting 
place. 

STEPHEN GIRARD, the celebrated 
philanthropist, was born in Bordeaux, 
France, May 24, 1750. He became a sailor 
engaged in the American coast trade, and 
also made frequent trips to the West Indies. 
During the Revolutionary war he was a 
grocer and liquor seller in Philadelphia. 
He married in that city, and afterward 
separated from his wife. After the war he 
again engaged in the coast and West India 
trade, and his fortune began to accumulate 



from receiving goods from West Indian 
planters during the insurrection in Hayti, 
little of which was ever called for again. 
He became a private banker in Philadelphia 
in 1812, and afterward was a director in the 
United States Bank. He made much money 
by leasing property in the city in times of 
depression, and upon the revival of industry 
sub-leasing at enormous profit. He became 
the wealthiest citizen of the United States 
of his time. 

He was eccentric, ungracious, and a 
freethinker. He had few, if any, friends in 
his lifetime. However, he was most chari- 
tably disposed, and gave to charitable in- 
stitutions and schools with a liberal hand. 
He did more than any one else to relieve 
the suffering and deprivations during the 
great yellow fever scourge in Philadelphia, 
devoting his personal attention to the sick. 
He endowed and made a free institution, 
the famous Will's Eye and Ear Infirmary 
of Philadelphia — one of the largest institu- 
tions of its kind in the world. At his death 
practically all his immense wealth was be- 
queathed to charitable institutions, more 
than two millions of dollars going to the 
founding of Girard College, which was to 
be devoted to the education and training of 
boys between the ages of six and ten years. 
Large donations were also made to institu- 
tions in Philadelphia and New Orleans. 
The principal building of Girard College is 
the most magnificent example of Greek 
architecture in America. Girard died De- 
cember 26, 183 1. 



LOUIS J. R. AGASSIZ, the eminent nat- 
uralist arid geologist, was born in the 
parish of Motier, near Lake Neuchatel, Swit- 
zerland, May 28, 1807, but attained his 
greatest fame after becoming an American 
citizen. He studied the medical sciences at 



138 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 



Zurich, Heidelberg and Munich. His first 
work was a Latin description of the fishes 
which Martins and Spix brought from Brazil. 
This was published in 1 829-3 • • He devoted 
much time to the study of fossil fishes, and 
in 1832 was appointed professor of natural 
history at Neuchatel. He greatly increased 
his reputation by a great work in French, 
entitled " Researches on Fossil Fishes," in 
1832-42, in which he made many important 
improvements in the classification of fishes. 
Having passed many summers among the 
Alps in researches on glaciers, he propounded 
some new and interesting ideas on geology, 
and the agency of glaciers in his "Studies 
by the Glaciers." This was published in 
1840. This latter work, with his " System 
of the Glaciers," published in 1847, are 
among his principal works. 

In 1846, Professor Agassiz crossed the 
ocean on a scientific excursion to the United 
States, and soon determined to remain here. 
He accepted, about the beginning of 1848, 
the chair of zoology and geology at Harvard. 
He explored the natural history of the 
United States at different times and gave an 
impulse to the study of nature in this 
country. In 1865 he conducted an expedi- 
tion to Brazil, and explored the lower Ama- 
zon and its tributaries. In 1868 he was 
made non-resident professor of natural his- 
tory at Cornell University. In December, 
1 87 1, he accompanied the Hassler expedi- 
tion, under Professor Pierce, to the South 
Atlantic and Pacific oceans. He died at 
Cambridge, Massachusetts, December 14, 

1873- 

Among other of the important works of 
Professor Agassiz may be mentioned the fol- 
lowing: "Outlines of Comparative Physi- 
ology," "Journey to Brazil," and "Contri- 
butions to the Natural History of the United 
States." It is said of Professor Agassiz, 



that, perhaps, with the exception of Hugh 
Miller, no one had so popularized science in 
his day, or trained so many young natural-, 
ists. Many of the theories held by Agassiz 
are not supported by many of the natural- 
ists of these later days, but upon many of 
the speculations into the origin of species and 
in physics he has left the marks of his own 
strongly marked individuality. 



WILLIAM WINDOM.— As a prominent 
and leading lawyer of the great north- 
west, as a member of both houses of con- 
gress, and as the secretary of the treasury, 
the gentleman whose name heads this sketch 
won for himself a prominent position in the 
history of our country. 

Mr. Windom was a native of Ohio, 
born in Belmont county. May 10, 1827. 
He received a good elementary education in 
the schools of his native state, and took up 
the study of law. He was admitted to the 
bar, and entered upon the practice of his 
profession in Ohio, where he remained until 
1855. In the latter year he made up his 
mind to move further west, and accordingly 
went to Minnesota, and opening an office, 
became identified with the interests of that 
state, and the northwest generally. In 
1858 he took his place in the Minnesota 
delegation in the national house of repre- 
sentatives, at Washington, and continued 
to represent his constituency in that body 
for ten years. In 1871 Mr. Windom was 
elected United States senator from Min- 
nesota, and was re-elected to the same office 
after fulfilling the duties of the position for 
a full term, in 1876. On the inauguration 
of President Garfield, in March, 1881, Mr. 
Windom became secretary of the treasury 
in his cabinet. He resigned this office Oc- 
tober 27, 1 88 1, and was elected senator 
from the North Star state to fill the va- 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 



139 



cancy caused by the resignation of A. J. 
Edgerton. Mr. Windoni served in that 
chamber until March, 1883. 

William Windom died in New York 
City January 29, 1891. 



DON M. DICKINSON, an American 
politician and lawyer, was born in 
Port Ontario, New York, January 17, 1846. 
He removed with his parents to Michigan 
when he was bet two years old. He was 
educated in the public schools of Detroit 
and at the University of Michigan at Ann 
Arbor, and was admitted to the bar at the 
age of twenty-one. In 1872 he was made 
secretary of the Democratic state central 
committee of Michigan,- and his able man- 
agement of the campaign gave him a prom- 
inent place in the councils of his party. In 
1876, during the Tilden campaign, he acted 
as chairman of the state central committee. 
He was afterward chosen to represent his 
state in the Democratic national committee, 
and in 1886 he was appointed postmaster- 
general by President Cleveland. After the 
expiration of his term of office he returned 
to Detroit and resumed the practice of law. 
In the presidential campaign of 1896, Mr. 
Dickinson adhered to the "gold wing "of 
the Democracy, and his influence was felt 
in the national canvass, and especially in 
his own state. 



JOHN JACOB ASTOR, the founder of 
the Astor family and fortunes, while not 
a native of this country, was one of the 
most noted men of his time, and as all his 
wealth and fame were acquired here, he 
may well be classed among America's great 
men. He was born near Heidelberg, Ger- 
many, July 17, 1763, and when twenty 
years old emigrated to the United States. 
Even at that age he exhibited remarkable 



business ability and foresight, and soon he 
was investing capital in furs which he took 
to London and sold at a great profit. He 
next settled at New York, and engaged ex- 
tensively in the fur trade. He exported 
furs to Europe in his own vessels, which re- 
turned with cargoes of foreign commodities, 
and thus he rapidly amassed an immense 
fortune. In 181 1 he founded Astoria on 
the western coast of North America, near 
the mouth of the Columbia river, as a depot 
for the fur trade, for the promotion of 
which he sent a number of expeditions to 
the Pacific ocean. He also purchased a 
large amount of real estate in New York, 
the value of which increased enormously 
All through life his business ventures were 
a series of marvelous successes, and he 
ranked as one of the most sagacious and 
successful business men in the world. He 
died March 29, 1848, leaving a fortune es- 
timated at over twenty million dollars to 
his children, who have since increased it. 
John Jacob Astor left $400,000 to found a 
public library in New York City, and his son, 
William B. Astor, who died in 1875, left 
$300,000 to add to his father's bequest. 
This is known as the Astor Library, one of 
the largest in the United States. 



SCHUYLER COLFAX, an eminent 
American statesman, was born in New 
York City, March 23, 1823, being a grand- 
son of General William Colfax, the com- 
mander of Washington's life-guards. In 
1836 he removed with his mother, who was 
then a widow, to Indiana, settling at South 
Bend. Young Schuyler studied law, and 
in 1845 became editor of the "St. Joseph 
Valley Register," a Whig paper published 
at South Bend. He was a member of the 
convention which formed a new constitu- 
tion for Indiana in 1850, and he opposed 



140 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 



the clause that prohibited colored men 
from settling in that state. In 1851 he was 
defeated as the Whig candidate for congress 
but was elected in 1854, and, being repeat- 
edly re-elected, continued to represent that 
district in congress until 1869. He became 
one of the most prominent and influential 
members of the house of representatives, 
and served three terms as speaker. During 
the Civil war he was an active participant 
in all public measures of importance, and 
was a confidential friend and adviser of 
President Lincoln. In May, 1868, Mr. 
Colfax was nominated for vice-president on 
the ticket with General Grant, and was 
elected. After the close of his term he re- 
tired from office, and for the remainder of 
his life devoted much of his time to lectur- 
ing and literary pursuits. His death oc- 
curred January 23, 1885. He was one of 
the most prominent members of the Inde- 
pendent Order of Odd Fellows in America, 
and that order erected a bronze statue to 
his memory in University Park, Indianapo- 
lis, Indiana, which was unveiled in May, 
1887. 

WILLIAM FREEMAN VILAS, who at- 
tained a national reputation as an able 
lawyer, statesman, and cabinet officer, was 
born at Chelsea, Vermont, July 9, 1840. 
His parents removed to Wisconsin when 
our subject was but eleven years of age, 
and there with the early settlers endured all 
the hardships and trials incident to pioneer 
life. William F. Vilas was given all the 
advantages found in the common schools, 
and supplemented this by a course of study 
in the Wisconsin State University, after 
which he studied law, was admitted to the 
bar and began practicing at Madison. 
Shortly afterward the Civil war broke out 
and Mr. Vilas enlisted and became colonel 



of the Twenty-third regiment of Wisconsin 
Volunteers, serving throughout the war with 
distinction. At the close of the war he re- 
turned to Wisconsin, resumed his law prac- 
tice, and rapidly rose to eminence in this 
profession. In 1885 he was selected by 
President Cleveland for postmaster-general 
and at the close of his term again returned 
to Madison, Wisconsin, to resume the prac- 
tice of law. 

THOMAS McINTYRE COOLEY, anem- 
inent American jurist and law writer, 
was born in Attica, New York, January 6, 
1824. He was admitted to the bar in 1846, 
and four years later was appointed reporter 
of the supreme court of Michigan, which 
office he continued to hold for seven years. 
In the meantime, in 1859, he became pro- 
fessor of the law department of the Univer- 
sity of Michigan, and soon afterward was 
made dean of the faculty of that depart- 
ment. In 1864 he was elected justice of 
the supreme court of Michigan, in 1867 be- 
came chief justice of that court, and in 
1869 was re-elected for a term of eight 
years. In 1 881 he again joined the faculty 
of the University of Michigan, assuming the 
professorship of constitutional and adminis- 
trative law. His works on these branches 
have become standard, and he is recog- 
nized as authority on this and related sub- 
jects. Upon the passage of the inter-state 
commerce law in 1887 he became chairman 
of the commission and served in that capac- 
ity four years. 



JOHN PETER ALTGELD, a noted 
American politician and writer on social 
questions, was born in Germany, December 
30, 1847. He came to America with his 
parents and settled in Ohio when two years 
old. In 1864 he entered the Union army 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 



141 



and served till the close of the war, after 
which he settled in Chicago, Illinois. He 
was elected judge of the superior court of 
Cook county, Illinois, in 1886, in which 
capacity he served until elected governor of 
Illinois in 1892, as a Democrat. During 
the first year of his term as governor he at- 
tracted national attention by his pardon of 
the anarchists convicted of the Haymarket 
murder in Chicago, and again in 1894 by 
his denunciation of President Cleveland for 
calling out federal troops to suppress the 
rioting in connection with the great Pull- 
man strike in Chicago. At the national 
convention of the Democratic party in Chi- 
cago, in July, 1896, he is said to have in- 
spired the clause in the platform denuncia- 
tory of interference by federal authorities in 
local affairs, and "government by injunc- 
tion." He was gubernatorial candidate for 
re-election on the Democratic ticket in 1896, 
but was defeated by John R. Tanner, Re- 
publican. Mr. Altgeld published two vol- 
umes of essays on " Live Questions," evinc- 
ing radical views on social matters. 



ADLAI EWING STEVENSON, an Amer. 
ican statesman and politician, was born 
in Christian county, Kentucky, October 23, 
1835, and removed with the family to 
Bloomington, Illinois, in 1852. He was 
admitted to the bar in 1858, and set- 
tled in the practice of his profession 
in Metamora, Illinois. In 1861 he was 
made master in chancery of Woodford 
county, and in 1864 was elected state's at- 
torney. In 1868 he returned to Blooming- 
ton and formed a law partnership with 
James S. Ewing. He had served as a pres- 
idential elector in 1864, and in 1868 was 
elected to congress as a Democrat, receiv- 
ing a majority vote from every county in his 
district. He became prominent in his 



party, and was a delegate to the national 
convention in 1884. On the election of 
Cleveland to the presidency Mr. Stevenson 
was appointed first assistant postmaster- 
general. After the expiration of his term 
he continued to e.xert a controlling influence 
in the politics of his state, and in 1892 was 
elected vice-president of the United States 
on the ticket with Grover Cleveland. At 
the expiration of his term of office he re- 
sumed the practice of law at Bloomington, 
Illinois. 

SIMON CAMERON, whose name is 
prominently identified with the history 
of the United States as a political leader 
and statesman, was born in Lancaster coun- 
ty, Pennsylvania, March 8, 1799. He grew 
to manhood in his native county, receiving 
good educational advantages, and develop- 
ing a natural inclination for political life. 
He rapidly rose in prominence and became 
the most influential Democrat in PennsyJ* 
vania, and in 1845 was elected by that party 
to the United States senate. Upon the 
organization of the Republican party he was 
one of the first to declare his allegiance to 
it, and in 1856 was re-elected United States 
senator from Pennsylvania as a Republican. 
In March, 1861, he was appointed secretary 
of war by President Lincoln, and served 
until early in 1862, when he was sent as 
minister to Russia, returning in 1863. In 
1866 he was again elected United States 
senator and served until 1877, when he re- 
signed and was succeeded by his son, James 
Donald Cameron. He continued to exert a 
powerful influence in political affairs up to 
the time of his death, June 26, 1889. 

James Donald Cameron was the eld- 
est son of Simon Cameron, and also 
attamed a high rank among American 
statesmen. He was born at Harrisburg, 



142, 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 



Pennsylvania, May 14, 1833, and received an 
excellent education, graduating at Princeton 
College in 1852. He rapidly developed into 
one of the most able and successful business 
men of the country and was largely inter- 
ested in and identified with the develop- 
ment of the coal, iron, lumber and manu- 
facturing interests of his native state. He 
served as cashier and afterward president of 
the Middletown bank, and in 1861 was made 
vice-president, and in 1863 president of 
the Northern Central railroad, holding this 
position until 1874, when he resigned and 
was succeeded by Thomas A. Scott. This 
road was of great service to the government 
during the war as a means of communica- 
tion between Pennsylvania and the national 
capital, via Baltimore. Mr. Cameron also 
took an active part in political affairs_, 
always as a Republican. In May, 1876, 
he was appointed secretary of war in Pres- 
ident Grant's cabinet, and in 1877 suc- 
ceeded his father in the United States 
senate. He was re-elected in 1885, and 
again in 1891, serving until 1896, and was 
recognized as one of the most prominent and 
influential members of that bodv. 



ADOLPHUS W. GREELEY, a famous 
American arctic explorer, was born at 
Newburyport, Massachusetts, March 27, 
1844. He graduated from Brown High 
School at the age of sixteen, and a year 
later enlisted in Company B, Nineteenth 
Massachusetts Infantry, and was made first 
sergeant. In 1863 he was promoted to 
second lieutenant. After the war he was 
assigned to the Fifth United States Cavalry, 
and became first lieutenant in 1873. He 
was assigned to duty in the United States 
signal service shortly after the close of the 
war. An expedition was fitted out by the 
United States government in 1881, un- 



der auspices of the weather bureau, and 
Lieutenant Greeley placed in command. 
They set sail from St. Johns the first week 
in July, and after nine days landed in Green- 
land, where they secured the services of two 
natives, together with sledges, dogs, furs 
and equipment. They encountered an ice 
pack early in August, and on the 28th of 
that month freezing weather set in. Two 
of his party, Lieutenant Lockwood and Ser- 
geant Brainard, added to the known maps 
about forty miles of coast survey, and 
reached the highest point yet attained by 
man, eighty-three degrees and twenty-four 
minutes north, longitude, forty-four degrees 
and five minutes west. On their return to 
Fort Conger, Lieutenant Greeley set out 
for the south on August 9, 1883. He 
reached Baird Inlet twenty days later with 
his entire party. Here they were compelled 
to abandon their boats, and drifted on an 
ice-floe for one month. They then went 
into camp at Cape Sabine, where they suf- 
fered untold hardships, and eighteen of the 
party succumbed to cold and hunger, and 
had relief been delayed two days longer 
none would have been found alive. They 
were picked up by the relief expedition, 
under Captain Schley, June 22, 1884. The 
dead were taken to New York for burial. 
Many sensational stories were published 
concerning the expedition, and Lieutenant 
Greeley prepared an exhaustive account 
of his explorations and experiences. 



LEVI P. MORTON, the millionaire poli- 
tician, was born in Shoreham, Ver- 
mont, May 16, 1824, and his early educa- 
tion consisted of the rudiments which he 
obtained in the common school up to the 
age of fourteen, and after that time what 
knowledge he gained was wrested from the 
hard school of experience. He removed to 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 



143 



Hanover, Vermont, then Concord, Vermont, 
and afterwards to Boston. He had worked 
in a store at Shoreham, his native village, 
and on going to Hanover he established a 
store and went into business for himself. 
In Boston he clerked in a dry goods store, 
and then opened a business of his own in 
the same line in New York. After a short 
career he failed, and was compelled to set- 
tle with his creditors at only fifty cents on 
the dollar. He began the struggle anew, 
and when the war began he established a 
banking house in New York, with Junius 
Morgan as a partner. Through his firm 
and connections the great government war 
loans were floated, and it resulted in im- 
mense profits to his house. When he was 
again thoroughly established he invited his 
former creditors to a banquet, and under 
each guest's plate was found a check cover- 
ing the amount of loss .sustained respec- 
tively, with interest to date. 

President Garfield appointed Mr. Mor- 
ton as minister to France, after he had de- 
clined the secretaryship of the navy, and in 
1888 he was no'minated as candidate for 
vice-president, with Harrison, and elected. 
In 1894 he was elected governor of New 
York over David B. Hill, and served one 
term. 

CHARLES KENDALL ADAMS, one 
of the most talented and prominent 
educators this country has known, was born 
January 24, 1835, ^t Derby, Vermont. He 
received an elementary education in the 
common schools, and studied two terms in 
the Derby Academy. Mr. Adams moved 
with his parents to Iowa in 1856. He was 
very anxious to pursue a collegiate course, 
but this was impossible until he had attained 
the age of twenty-one. In the autumn of 
1856 he began the study of Latin and Greek 



at Denmark Academy, and in September, 
1857, he was admitted to the University of 
Michigan. Mr. Adams was wholly depend- 
ent upon himself for the means of his edu- 
cation. During his third and fourth year 
he became deeply interested in historical 
studies, was assistant librarian of the uni- 
versity, and determined to pursue a post- 
graduate course. In 1864 he was appointed 
instructor of history and Latin and was ad- 
vanced to an assistant professorship in 1865, 
and in 1867, on the resignation o\ Professoi 
White to accept the presidency of Cornell, 
he was appointed to fill the chair of profes- 
sor of history. This he accepted on con- 
dition of his being allowed to spend a year 
for special study in Germany, France and 
Italy. Mr. Adams returned in 1868, and 
assumed the duties of his professorship. 
He introduced the German system for the 
instruction of advanced history classes, and 
his lectures were largely attended. In 1885, 
on the resignation of President White at 
Cornell, he was elected his successor and 
held the office for seven years, and on Jan- 
uary 17, 1893, he was inaugurated presi- 
dent of the University of Wisconsin. Pres- 
ident Adams was prominently connected 
with numerous scientific and literary organ- 
izations and a frequent contr'ibutor to the 
historical and educational data in the peri- 
odicals and journals of the country. He 
was the author of the following: " Dem- 
ocracy and Monarchy in France," " Manual 
of Historical Literature," " A Plea for Sci- 
entific Agriculture," " Higher Education in 
Germany." 

JOSEPH B. FORAKER, a prominent po- 
litical leader and e.x-governor of Ohio, 
was born near Rainsboro, Highland county, 
Ohio, July 5, 1846. His parents operated 
a small farm, with a grist and sawmill, hav- 



144 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 



ing emigrated hither from Virginia and 
Delaware on account of their distaste for 
slavery. 

Joseph was reared upon a farm until 
1862, when he enlisted in the Eighty-ninth 
Ohio Infantry. Later he was made ser- 
geant, and in 1864 commissioned first lieu- 
tenant. The next year he was brevetted 
captain. At the age of nineteen he was 
mustered out of the army after a brilliant 
service, part of the time being on the staff 
of General Slocum. He participated in the 
battles of Missionary Ridge, Lookout Mount- 
ain and Kenesaw Mountain and in Sher- 
man's march to the sea. 

For two years subsequent to the war 
young Foraker was studying at the Ohio 
Wesleyan University at Delaware, but later 
went to Cornell University, at Unity, New 
York, from which he graduated July i, 
1869. He studied law and was admitted to 
the bar. In 1879 Mr. Foraker was elected 
judge of the superior court of Cincinnati 
and held the office for three years. In 1883 
he was defeated in the contest for the gov- 
ernorship with Judge Hoadly. In 1885, 
however, being again nominated for the 
same office, he was elected and served two 
terms. In 1889, in running for governor 
again, this time against James E. Camp- 
bell, he was defeated. Two years later his 
career in the United States senate began. 
Mr. Foraker was always a prominent figure 
at all national meetings of the Republican 
party, and a strong power, politically, in his 
native state. 



LYMAN ABBOTT, an eminent American 
preacher and writer on religious sub- 
jects, came of a noted New England 
family. His father, Rev. Jacob Abbott, was 
a prolific and popular writer, and his uncle, 
Rev. John S. C. Abbott, was a noted 



preacher and author. Lyman Abbott was 
born December 18, 1835, '" Ro.xbury, 
Massachusetts. He graduated at the New 
York University, in 1853, studied law, and 
practiced for a time at the bar, after which 
he studied theology with his uncle. Rev. 
John S. C. Abbott, and in i860 was settled 
in the ministry at Terre Haute, Indiana, re- 
maining there until after the close of the 
war. He then became connected with the 
Freedmen's Commission, continuing this 
until 1868, when he accepted the pastorate 
of the New England Congregational church, 
in New York City. A few years later he re- 
signed, to devote his time principally to lit- 
erary pursuits. For a number of years he 
edited for the American Tract Society, its 
"Illustrated Christian Weekly," also the 
New York "Christian Union." He pro- 
duced many works, which had a wide circu- 
lation, among which may be mentioned the 
following: "Jesus of Nazareth, His Life and 
Teachings," "Old Testament Shadows of 
New Testament Truths," "Morning and 
Evening Exercises, Selected from Writings 
of Henry Ward Beecher," "Laicus, or the 
Experiences of a Layman in a Country 
Parish," "Popular Religious Dictionary," 
and "Commentaries on Matthew, Mark, 
Luke, John and Acts." 



GEORGE WILLIAM CURTIS.— The 
well-known author, orator and journal- 
ist whose name heads this sketch, was born 
at Providence, Rhode Island, February 24, 
1824. Having laid the foundation of a 
most excellent education in his native land, 
he went to Europe and studied at the Uni- 
versity of Berlin. He made an extensive 
tour throughout the Levant, from which he 
returned home in 1850. At that early age 
literature became his field of labor, and in 
1851 he published his first important work, 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 



145 



" Nile Notes of a Howadji." In 1852 two 
works issued from his faciJe pen, "The 
Howadji in Syria," and "Lotus-Eating." 
Later on he was the author of the well- 
known " Potiphar Papers," " Prue and \" 
and "Trumps." He greatly distinguished 
himself throughout this land as a lecturer 
on many subjects, and as an orator had but 
few peers. He was also well known as one 
of the most fluent speakers on the stump, 
making many political speeches in favor of 
the Republican party. In recognition of 
his valuable services, Mr. Curtis was ap- 
pointed by President Grant, chairman of 
the advisory board of the civil service. Al- 
though a life-long Republican, Mr. Curtis 
refused to support Blaine for the presidency 
in 1884, because of his ideas on civil ser- 
vice and other reforms. For his memorable 
and magnificent eulogy on Wendell Phillips, 
delivered in Boston, in 1884, that city pre- 
sented Mr. Curtis with a gold medal. 

George W. Curtis, however, is best 
known to the reading public of the United 
States by his connection with the Harper 
Brothers, having been editor of the "Har- 
per's Weekly," and of the " Easy Chair," 
in " Harper's Monthly Magazine, "for many 
years, in fact retaining that position until 
the day of his death, which occurred August 
31. 1892- 

ANDREW JOHNSON, the seventeenth 
president of the United States, served 
from 1865 to 1869. He was born Decem- 
ber 8, 1808, at Raleigh, North Carolina, 
and was left an orphan at the age of four 
years. He never attended school, and was 
apprenticed to a tailor. While serving his 
apprenticeship he suddenly acquired a pas- 
sion for knowledge, and learned to read. 
From that time on he spent all his spare 
time in reading, and after working for two 



years as a journeyman tailor at Lauren's 
Court House, South Carolina, he removed 
to Greenville, Tennessee, where he worked 
at his trade and was married. Under his 
wife's instruction he made rapid progress in 
his studies and manifested such an interest 
in local politics as to be elected as " work- 
ingmen's candidate " alderman in 1828, and 
in 1830 to the mayoralty, and was twice 
re-elected to each office. Mr. Johnson 
utilized this time in cultivating his talents 
as a public speaker, by taking part in a de- 
bating society. He was elected in 1835 to 
the lower house of the legislature, was re- 
elected in 1839 as a Democrat, and in 
1 84 1 was elected state senator. Mr. John- 
son was elected representative in congress 
in 1843 and was re-elected four times in 
succession until 1853, when he was the suc- 
cessful candidate for the gubernatorial chair 
of Tennessee. He was re-elected in 1855 
and in 1857 he entered the United States 
senate. In i860 he was supported by the 
Tennessee delegation to the Democratic 
convention for the presidential nomination, 
and lent his •influence to the Breckinridge 
wing of the party. At the election of Lin- 
coln, which brought about the first attempt 
at sece'ssion in December, i860, Mr. John- 
son took a firm attitude in the senate for 
the Union. He was the leader of the loy- 
alists in East Tennessee. By the course 
that Mr. Johnson pursued in this crisis he 
was brought prominently before the north- 
ern people, and when, in March, 1862, he 
was appointed military governor of Ten- 
nessee with the rank of brigadier-general, 
he increased his popularity by the vigorous 
manner in which he labored to restore 
order. In the campaign of 1864 he was 
elected vice-president on the ticket with 
President Lincoln, and upon the assassi- 
nation of the latter he succeeded to the 



146 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 



presidency, April 15, 1865. He retained 
the cabinet of President Lincoln, and at 
first exhibited considerable severity towards 
the former Confederates, but he soon inau- 
gurated a policy of reconstruction, pro- 
claimed a general amnesty to the late Con- 
federates, and established provisional gov- 
ernments in the southern states. These 
states claimed representation in congress in 
the following December, and theiTarose the 
momentous question as to what should be 
the policy of the victorious Union against 
their late enemies. The Republican ma- 
jority in congress had an apprehension that 
the President would undo the results of the 
war, and consequently passed two bills over 
the executive veto, and the two highest 
branches of the government were in open 
antagonism. The cabinet was reconstructed 
in July, and Messrs. Randall, Stanbury and 
Browning superseded Messrs. Denison, 
Speed and Harlan. In August, 1867, Pres- 
ident Johnson removed the secretary of war 
and replaced him with General Grant, but 
when congress met in December it refused 
to ratify the reirioval of Stanton, who re- 
sumed the functions of his office. In 1868 
the president again attempted to remove 
Stanton, who refused to vacate his post 
and was sustained by the senate. Presi- 
dent Johnson was accused by congress of 
high crimes and misdemeanors, but the trial 
resulted in his acquittal. Later he was Uni- 
ted States senator from Tennessee, and 
died July 31, 1875. 



EDMUND RANDOLPH, first attorney- 
general of the United States, was born 
in Virginia, August 10, 1753. His father, 
John Randolph, was attorney-general of 
Virginia, and lived and died a royalist. Ed- 
mund was educated in the law, but joined 
the army as aide-de-camp to Washington 



in 1775, at Cambridge, Massachusetts. He 
was elected to the Virginia convention in 
1776, and attorney-general of the state the 
same year. In 1779 he was elected to the 
Continental congress, and served four years 
in that body. He was a member of the con- 
vention in 1787 that framed the constitu- 
tion. In that convention he proposed what 
was known as the " Virginia plan" of con- 
federation, but it was rejected. He advo- 
cated the ratification of the constitution in 
the Virginia convention, although he had re- 
fused to sign it. He became governor of 
Virginia in 1788, and the next year Wash- 
ington appointed him to the office of at- 
torney-general of the United States ^ upon 
the organization of the government under 
the constitution. He was appointed secre- 
tary of state to succeed Jefferson during 
Washington's second term, but resigned a 
year later on account of differences in the 
cabinet concerning the policy pursued to- 
ward the new French republic. He died 
September 12, 181 3. 



W INFIELD SCOTT HANCOCK was 
born in Montgomery county, Penn- 
sylvania, February 14, 1824. He received 
his early education at the Norristown 
Academy, in his native county, and, in 1840, 
was appointed a cadet in the United States 
Military Academy, at West Point. He was 
graduated from the latter in 1844, andbrev- 
etted as second lieutenant of infantry. In 
1853 he was made first lieutenant, and two 
years later transferred to the quartermaster's 
department, with the rank of captain, and 
in 1863 promoted to the rank of major. He 
served on the frontier, and in the war with 
Mexico, displaying conspicuous gallantry dur- 
ing the latter. He also took a part in the 
Seminole war, and in the troubles in Kan- 
sas, in 1857, and in California, at the out- 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 



147 



break of the Civil war, as chief quarter- 
master of the Southern district, he exerted 
a powerful influence. In 1861 he applied 
for active duty in the field, and was assigned 
to the department of Kentucky as chief 
quartermaster, but before entering upon that 
duty, was appointed brigadier-general of 
volunteers. His subsequent history during 
the war was substantially that of the Army 
of the Potomac. He participated in the 
campaign, under McClellan, and led the 
gallant charge, which captured Fort Magru- 
der, won the day at the battle of Wil- 
liamsburg, and by services rendered at 
Savage's Station and other engagements, 
won several grades in the regular service, 
and was recommended by McClellan for 
major-general of volunteers. He was a con- 
spicuous figure at South Mountain and An- 
tietam. He was commissioned major-gen- 
eral of volunteers, November 29, 1862, and 
made commander of the First Division of 
the Second Corps, which he led at Fred- 
ricksburg and at Chancellorsville. He was 
appointed to the command of the Second 
Corps in June, 1863, and at the battle of 
Gettysburg, July i, 2 and 3, of that year, 
took an important part. On his arrival on 
the field he found part of the forces then 
in retreat, but stayed the retrograde 
movement, checked the enemy, and on the 
following day commanded the left center, 
repulsed, on the third, the grand assault of 
General Lee's army, and was severely 
wounded. For his services on that field 
General Hancock received the thanks of 
congress. On recovering from his wound, 
he was detailed to go north to stimulate re- 
cruiting and fill up the diminished corps, and 
was the recipient of many public receptions 
and ovations. In March, 1864, he returned 
to his command, and in the Wilderness and 
at Spottsylvania led large bodies of men 



successfully and conspicuously. From that 
on to the close of the campaign he was a 
prominent figure. In November, 1864, he 
was detailed to organize the First Veteran 
Reserve Corps, and at the close of hostilities 
was appointed to the command of the Mid- 
dle Military Division. In July, 1866, he 
was made major-general of the regular 
service. He was at the head of various 
military departments until 1872, when he 
was assigned to the command of the Depart- 
ment of the Atlantic, which post he held 
until his death. In 1869 he declined the 
nomination for governor of Pennsylvania. 
He was the nominee of the Democratic 
party for president, in 1880, and was de- 
feated by General Garfield, who had a popu- 
lar majority of seven thousand and eighteen 
and an electoral majority'.of fifty-nine. Gen- 
eral Hancock died February 9, j886. 



THOMAS PAINE, the most noted polit- 
ical and deistical writer of the Revolu- 
tionary period, was born in England, Jan- 
uary 29, 1737, of Quaker parents. His edu- 
cation was. obtained in the grammar schools 
of Thetford, his native town, and supple- 
mented by hard private study while working 
at his trade of stay-maker at London and 
other cities of England. He was for a time 
a dissenting preacher, although he did not 
relinquish his employment. He married a 
revenue official's daughter, and was employed 
in the revenue service for some time. He 
then became a grocer and during all this time 
he was reading and cultivating his literary 
tastes, and had developed a clear and forci- 
ble style of composition. He was chosen to 
represent the interests of the excisemen, 
and published a pamphlet that brought 
him considerable notice. He was soon after- 
ward introduced to Benjamin Franklin, and 
having been dismissed from the service on a 



148 



COMTENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 



charge of smuggling, his resentment led him 
to accept the advice of that statesman to 
come to America, in 1774. He became 
editor of the ' ' Pennsylvania Magazine," and 
the next year published his "Serious 
Thoughts upon Slavery" in the "Penn- 
sylvania Journal." His greatest political 
work, however, was written at the sugges- 
tion of Dr. Rush, and entitled "Common 
Sense." It was the most popular pamphlet 
written during the period and he received 
two thousand five hundred dollars from the 
state of Pennsylvania in recognition of its 
value. His periodical, the "Crisis," began 
in 1776, and its distribution among the 
soldiers did a great deal to keep up the spirit 
of revolution. He was made secretary of 
the committee of foreign affairs, but was dis- 
missed for revealing diplomatic secrets in 
one of his controversies with Silas Deane. 
He was originator and promoter of a sub- 
scription to relieve the distress of the soldiers 
near the close of the war, and was sent to 
France with Henry Laurens to negotiate the 
treaty with France, and was granted three 
thousand dollars by congress for his services 
there, and an estate at New Rochelle, by the 
state of New York. 

In 1787, after the close of the Revolu- 
tionary war, he went to France, and a few 
years later published his " Rights of Man," 
defending the French revolution, which 
gave him great popularity in France. He 
was made a citizen and elected to the na- 
tional convention at Calais. He favored 
banishment of the king to America, and 
opposed his execution. He was imprisoned 
for about ten months during 1 794 by the 
Robespierre party, during which time he 
wrote the " Age of Reason," his great deis- 
tical work. He was in danger of the guillo- 
tine for several months. He took up his 
residence with the family of James Monroe, 



then minister to France and was chosen 
again to the convention. He returned 
to the United States in 1802, and was 
cordially received throughout the coun- 
try except at Trenton, where he was insulted 
by Federalists. He retired to his estate at 
New Rochelle, and his death occurred June 
8, 1809. 

JOHN WILLIAM MACKAY was one of 
America's noted men, both in the de- 
velopment of the western coast and the 
building of the Mackay and Bennett cable. 
He was born in 1831 at Dublin, Ireland; 
came to New York in 1840 and his boyhood 
days were spent in Park Row. He went 
to California some time after the argonauts 
of 1849 and took to the primitive methods 
of mining — -lost and won and finally drifted 
into Nevada about i860. The bonanza dis- 
coveries which were to have such a potent 
influence on the finance and statesmanship 
of the day came in 1872. Mr. Mackay 
founded the Nevada Bank in 1878. He is 
said to have taken one hundred and 
fifty million dollars in bullion out of 
the Big Bonanza mine. There were as- 
sociated with him in this enterprise James 
G. Fair, senator from Nevada; William 
O'Brien and James C. Flood. When 
vast wealth came to Mr. Mackay he be- 
lieved it his duty to do his country some 
service, and he agitated in his mind the 
building of an American steamship line, 
and while brooding over this his attention 
was called to the cable relations between 
America and Europe. The financial man- 
agement of the cable was selfish and ex- 
travagant, and the capital was heavy with 
accretions of financial " water " and to pay 
even an apparent dividend upon the sums 
which represented the nominal value of the 
cables, it was necessary to hold the rates 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 



149 



at an exorbitant figure. And, moreover, 
the cables were foreign; in one the influence 
of France being paramount and in the other 
that of England; and in the matter of intel- 
ligence, so necessary in case of war, we 
would be at the mercy of our enemies. This 
train of thought brought Mr. Mackay into re- 
lation with James Gordon Bennett, the pro- 
prietor of the " New York Herald." The 
result of their intercourse was that Mr. Mac- 
kay so far entered into the enthusiasm of 
Mr. Bennett over an independent cable, 
that he offered to assist the enterprise with 
five hundred thousand dollars. This was the 
inception of the Commercial Cable Com- 
pany, or of what has been known for years 
as the Mackay-Bennett cable. 



ELISHA GRAY, the great inventor and 
electrician, was born August 2, 1835. 
at Barnesville, Belmont county, Ohio. He 
was, as a child, greatly interested in the 
phenomena of nature, and read with avidity 
all the books he could obtain, relating to 
this subject. He was apprenticed to various 
trades during his boyhood, but his insatiable 
thirst for knowledge dominated his life and 
he found time to study at odd intervals. 
Supporting himself by working at his trade, 
he found time to pursue a course at Oberlin 
College, where he particularly devoted him- 
self to the study of physicial science. Mr. 
Gray secured his first patent for electrical 
or telegraph apparatus on October i, 1867. 
His attention was first attracted to tele- 
phonic transmission during this year and he 
saw in it a way of transmitting signals for 
telegraph purposes, and conceived the idea 
of electro-tones, tuned to different tones in 
the scale. He did not then realize the im- 
portance of his invention, his thoughts being 
employed on the capacity of the apparatus 
for transmitting musical tones through an 



electric circuit, and it was not until 1874 
that he was again called to consider the re- 
production of electrically-transmitted vibra- 
tions through the medium of animal tissue. 
He continued experimenting with various 
results, which finally culminated in his 
taking out a patent for his speaking tele- 
phone on February 14, 1876. He took out 
fifty additional patents in the course of 
eleven years, among which were, telegraph 
switch, telegraph repeater, telegraph annun- 
ciator and typewriting telegraph. From 
1869 until 1873 he was employed in the 
manufacture of telegraph apparatus in Cleve- 
land and Chicago, and filled the office of 
electrician to the Western Electric Com- 
pany. He was awarded the degree of D. 
S. , and in 1874 he went abroad to perfect 
himself in acoustics. Mr. Gray's latest in- 
vention was known as the telautograph or 
long distance writing machine. Mr. Gray 
wrote and published several works on scien- 
tific subjects, among which were: "Tele- 
graphy and Telephony," and "Experi- 
mental Research in Electro-Harmonic Tele- 
graphy and Telephony." 



WHITELAW REID.— Among the many 
men who have adorned the field of 
journalism in the United States, few stand 
out with more prominence than the scholar, 
author and editor whose name heads this ar- 
ticle. Born at Xenia, Greene county, Ohio, 
October 27, 1837, he graduated at Miami 
University in 1856. For about a year he 
was superintendent of the graded schools of 
South Charleston, Ohio, after which he pur- 
chased the " Xenia News," which he edited 
for about two years. This paper was the 
first one outside of Illinois to advocate the 
nomination of Abraham Lincoln, Mr. Reid 
having been a Republican since the birth of 
that party in 1856. After taking an active 



150 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 



part in the campaign, in the winter of 1860- 
61, he went to the state capital as corres- 
pondent of three daily papers. At the close 
of the session of the legislature he became 
city editor of the "Cincinnati Gazette," 
and at the breaking out of the war went to 
the front as a correspondent for that journal. 
For a time he served on the stafi of General 
Morris in West Virginia, with the rank of 
captain. Shortly after he was on the staff 
of General Rosecrans, and, under the name 
of "Agate," wrote most graphic descrip- 
tions of the movements in the field, espe- 
cially that of the battle ol Pittsburg Land- 
ing. In the spring of 1862 Mr. Reid went 
to Washington and was appointed librarian 
to the house of representatives, and acted as 
correspondent of the " Cincinnati Gazette." 
His description of the battle of Gettysburg, 
written on the field, gained him added 
reputation. In 1865 he accompanied Chief 
Justice Chase on a southern tour, and pub- 
lished "After the War; a Southern Tour." 
During the next two years he was engaged 
in cotton planting in Louisiana and Ala- 
bama, and published "Ohio in the War." 
In 1868 he returned to the " Cincinnati Ga- 
zette," becoming one of its leading editors. 
The same year he accepted the invitation of 
Horace Greeley and became one of the staff 
on the " New York Tribune." Upon the 
death of Mr. Greeley in 1872, Mr. Reid be- 
came editor and chief proprietor of that 
paper. In 1 878 he was tendered the United 
States mission to Berlin, but declined. The 
offer was again made by the Garfield ad- 
ministration, but again he declined. In 
1878 he was elected by the New York legis- 
lature regent of the university, to succeed 
General John A. Dix. Under the Harrison 
administration he served as United States 
minister to France, and in 1892 was the 
Republican nominee for the vice-presidency 



of the United States. Among other works 
published by him were the " Schools of 
Journalism," "The Scholar in Politics," 
'' Some Newspaper Tendencies," and 
' ' Town-Hall Suggestions. " 



GEORGE WHITEFIELD was one of 
the most powerful and effective preach- 
ers the world has ever produced, swaying 
his hearers and touching the hearts of im- 
mense audiences in a mannerthat has rarely 
been equalled and never surpassed. While 
not a native of America, yet much of his 
labor was spent in this country. He wielded 
a great influence in the United States in 
early days, and his death occurred here; so 
that he well deserves a place in this volume 
as one of the most celebrated men America 
has known. 

George Whitefield was born in the Bull 
Inn, at Gloucester, England, December 16, 
1 7 14. He acquired the rudiments of learn- 
ing in St. Mary's grammar school. Later 
he attended Oxford University for a time, 
where he became intimate with the Oxford 
Methodists, and resolved to devote himself 
to the ministry. He was ordained in the 
Gloucester Cathedral June 20, 1836, and 
the following day preached his first sermon 
in the same church. On that day there 
commenced a new era in Whitefield's life. 
He went to London and began to preach at 
Bishopsgate church, his fame soon spread- 
ing over the city, and shortly he was en- 
gaged four times on a single Sunday in ad- 
dressing audiences of enormous magnitude, 
and he preached in various parts of his native 
country, the people crowding in multitudes 
to hear him and hanging upon the rails and 
rafters of the churches and approaches there- 
to. He finally sailed for America, landing 
in Georgia, v/here he stirred the people to 
great enthusiasm. During the balance of 




litOjrcSSAaiaa 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 



153 



his life he divided his time between Great 
Britain and America, and it is recorded that 
he crossed the Atlantic thirteen times. He 
came to America for the seventh time in 
1770. He preached every day at Boston 
from the 17th to the 20th of September, 
1770, then traveled to Newburyport, preach- 
ing at Exeter, New Hampshire, September 
29, on the way. That evening he went to 
Newburyport, where he died the next day, 
Sunday, September 30, 1770. 

' ' Whitefield's dramatic power was amaz- 
ing, " says an eminent writer in describing 
him. ^' His voice was marvelously varied, 
and he ever had it at command — an organ, 
a flute, a harp, all in one. His intellectual 
powers were not of a high order, but he had 
an abundance of that ready talent and that 
wonderful magnetism which makes the pop- 
ular preacher; and beyond all natural en- 
dowments, there was in his ministry the 
power of evangelical truth, and, as his con- 
verts believed, the presence of the spirit of 
God." 

CHARLES FRANCIS BRUSH, one of 
America's prominent men in the devel- 
opment of electrical science, was born March 
17, 1849, near Cleveland, Ohio, and spent 
his early life on his father's farm. From 
the district school at Wickiiffe, Ohio, he 
passed to the Shaw Academy at Collamer, 
and then entered the high school at Cleve- 
land. His interest in chemistry, physics 
and engineering was already marked, and 
during his senior year he was placed in 
charge of the chemical and physical appar- 
atus. During these years he devised a plan 
for lighting street lamps, constructed tele- 
scopes, and his first electric arc lamp, also 
an electric motor. In September, 1867, he 
entered the engineering department of the 

University of Michigan and graduated in 




1869, which was a year in advance of his 
class, with the degree of M. E. He then 
returned to Cleveland, and for three years 
was engaged as an analytical chemist and 
for four years in the iron business. In 
1875 Mr. Brush became interested in elec- 
tric lighting, and in 1876, after four months' 
experimenting, he completed the dynamo- 
electric machine that has made his name 
famous, and in a shorter time produced the 
series arc lamps. These were both patent- 
ed in the United States in 1876, and he 
afterward obtained fifty patents on his later 
inventions, including the fundamental stor- 
age battery, the compound series, shunt- 
winding for dynamo-electric machines, and 
the automatic cut-out for arc lamps. His 
patents, two-thirds of which have already 
been profitable, are held by the Brush 
Electric Company, of Cleveland, while his 
foreign patents are controlled by the Anglo- 
American Brush Electric Light Company, 
of London. In 1880 the Western Reserve 
University conferred upon Mr. Brush the 
degree of Ph. D., and in 1881 the French 
government decorated him as a chevalier of 
the Legion of Honor. 



HENRY CLEWS, ■ of Wall-street fame, 
was one of the noted old-time opera- 
tors on that famous street, and was also an 
author of some repute. Mr. Clews was 
born in Staffordshire, England, August 14, 
1840. His father had him educated with 
the intention of preparing him for the minis- 
try, but on a visit to the United States the 
young man became interested in a business 
life, and was allowed to engage as a clerk in 
the importing house of Wilson G. Hunt cS: 
Co., of New York. Here he learned the 
first principles of business, and when the war 
broke out in 1861 young Clews saw in the 
needs of the government an opportunity to 



154 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHl'. 



reap a golden harvest. He identified him- 
self with the negotiating of loans for the 
government, and used his powers of pur- 
suasion upon the great money powers to 
convince them of the stability of the govern- 
ment and the value of its securities. By 
enthusiasm and patriotic arguments he in- 
duced capitalists to invest their money in 
government securities, often against their 
judgment, and his success was remarkable. 
His was one of the leading firms that aided 
the struggling treasury department in that 
critical hour, and his reward was great. In 
addition to the vast wealth it brought, 
President Lincoln and Secretary Chase 
both wrote important letters, acknowledging 
his valued service. In 1873, by the repu- 
diation of the bonded indebtedness of the 
state of Georgia, Mr. Clews lost six million 
dollars which he had invested in those se- 
curities. It is said that he is the only man, 
with one exception, in Wall street, who 
ever regained great wealth after utter dis- 
aster. His ' ' Twenty-Eight Years in Wall 
Street " has been widely read. 



ALFRED VAIL was one of the men that 
gave to the world the electric telegraph 
and the names of Henry, Morse and Vail 
will forever remain linked as the prime fac- 
tors in that great achievement. Mr. Vail 
was born September 25, 1807, at Morris- 
town, New Jersey, and was a son of Stephen 
Vail, the proprietor of the Speedwell Iron 
Works, near Morristown. At the age of 
seventeen, after he had completed his stud- 
ies at the Morristown Academy, Alfred Vail 
went into the Speedwell Iron Works and 
contented himself with the duties of his 
position until he reached his majority. He 
then determined to prepare himself for the 
ministry, and at the age of twenty-five he 
entered the University of the City of New 



York, where he was graduated in 1836. His 
health becoming impaired he labored for a 
time under much uncertainty as to his future 
course. Professor S. F. B. Morse had come 
to the university in 1835 ^s professor of lit- 
erature and fine arts, and about this time, 

1837, Professor Gale, occupying the chair 
of chemistry, invited Morse to exhibit his 
apparatus for the benefit of the students. 
On Saturday, September 2, 1837, the exhi- 
bition took place and Vail was asked to at- 
tend, and with his inherited taste for me- 
chanics and knowledge of their construction, 
he saw a great future for the crude mechan- 
ism used by Morse in giving and recording 
signals. Mr. Vail interested his father in 
the invention, and Morse was invited to 
Speedwell and the elder Vail promised to 
help him. It was stipulated that Alfred 
Vail should construct the required apparatus 
and exhibit before a committee of congress 
the telegraph instrument, and was to receive 
a quarter interest in the invention. Morse 
had devised a series of ten numbered leaden 
types, which were to be operated in giving 
the signal. This was not satisfactory to 
Vail, so he devised an entirely new instru- 
ment, involving a lever, or "point," on a 
radically different principle, which, when 
tested, produced dots and dashes, and de- 
vised the famous dot-and-dash alphabet, 
misnamed the "Morse." At last the ma- 
chine was in working order, on January 6, 

1838. The machine was taken to Wash- 
ington, where it caused not only wonder, 
but excitement. Vail continued his experi- 
ments and devised the lever and roller. 
When the line between Baltimore and 
Washington was completed. Vail was sta- 
tioned at the Baltimore end and received 
the famous first message. It is a remarka- 
ble fact that not a single feature of the 
original invention of Morse, as formulated 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 



155 



by his caveat and repeated in liis original 
patent, is to be found in Vail's apparatus. 
From 1837 to 1844 it was a combination of 
the inventions of Morse, Henry and Vail, 
but the work of Morse fell gradually into 
desuetude, while Vail's conception of an 
alphabet has remained unchanged for half a 
century. Mr. Vail published but one work, 
"American Electro-Magnetic Telegraph," 
in 1845, and died at Morristown at the com- 
paratively early age of fifty-one, on January 
19. 1859- 

ULYSSES S. GRANT, the eighteenth 
president of the United States, was 
born April 27, 1822, at Point Pleasant, Cler- 
mont county, Ohio. At the age of seven- 
teen he entered the United States Military 
Academy at West Point, from which he 
graduated in June, 1843, and was given his 
brevet as second lieutenant and assigned to 
the Fourth Infantry. He remained in the 
service eleven years, in which time he 
was engaged in the Mexican war with gal- 
lantry, and was thrice brevetted for conduct 
in the field. In 1848 he married Miss Julia 
Dent, and in 1854, having reached the 
grade of captain, he resigned and engaged 
in farming near St. Louis. In i860 he en- 
tered the leather business with his father at 
Galena, Illinois. 

On the breaking out of the war, in 1861, 
he commenced to drill a company at Ga- 
lena, and at the same time offered his serv- 
ices to the adjutant-general of the army, 
but he had few influential friends, so re- 
ceived no answer. He was employed by 
the governor of Illinois in the organization 
of the various volunteer regiments, and at 
the end of a few weeks was given the 
colonelcy of the Twenty-first Infantry, from 
that state. His military training and knowl- 
edge soon attracted the attention of his su- 



perior officers, and on reporting to General 
Pope in Missouri, the latter put him in 
the way of advancement. August 7, 1861, 
he was promoted to the rank of brigadier- 
general of volunteers, and for a few weeks 
was occupied in watching the movements of 
partisan forces in Missouri. September i, 
the same year, he was placed in command 
of the Department of Southeast Missouri, 
with headquarters at Cairo, and on the 6th 
of the month, without orders, seized Padu- 
cah, which commanded the channel of the 
Ohio and Tennessee rivers, by which he se- 
cured Kentucky for the Union. He now 
received orders to make a demonstration on 
Belmont, which he did, and with about three 
thousand raw recruits held his own against 
the Confederates some seven thousand 
strong, bringing back about two hundred 
prisoners and two guns. In February,) 1862, 
he moved up the Tennessee river with 
the naval fleet under Commodore Foote. 
The latter soon silenced Fort Henry, and 
Grant advanced against Fort Donelson and 
took their fortress and its garrison. His 
prize here consisted of sixty-five cannon, 
seventeen thousand six hundred stand of 
arms, and fourteen thousand six hundred 
and twenty-three prisoners. This was the 
first important success won by the Union 
forces. Grant was immediately made a 
major-general and placed in command of 
the district of West Tennessee. In April, 
1862, he fought the battle of Pittsburg Land- 
ing, and after the evacuation of Corinth by 
the enemy Grant became commander of the 
Department of the Tennessee. He now 
made his first demonstration toward Vicks- 
burg, but owing to the incapacity of subor- 
dinate officers, was unsuccessful. In Janu- 
ary, 1863, he took command of all the 
troops in the Mississippi Valley and devoted 
several months to the siege of Vicksburg, 



156 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 



which was finally taken possession of by him 
July 4, with thirty-one thousand six hundred 
prisoners and one hundred and seventy-two 
cannon, thus throwing the Mississippi river 
open to the Federals. He was now raised 
to the rank of major-general in the regular 
army. October following, at the head of 
the Department of the Mississippi, General 
Grant went to Chattanooga, where he over- 
threw the enemy, and united with the Army 
of the Cumberland. The remarkable suc- 
cesses achieved by him pointed Grant out 
for an appropriate commander of all na- 
tional troops, and in February, 1864, the 
rank of lieutenant-general was made for him 
by act of congress. Sending Sherman into 
Georgia, Sigel into the Valley of West Vir- 
ginia and Butler to attempt the capture of 
Richmond he fought his way through the 
Wilderness to the James and pressed the 
siege of the capital of the Confederacy. 
After the fall of the latter Grant pressed 
the Confederate army so hard that their 
commander surrendered at Appomattox 
Court House, April 9, 1865. This virtually 
ended the war. 

After the war the rank of general was 
conferred upon U. S. Grant, and in 1868 he 
was elected president of the United States, 
and re-elected his own successor in 1872. 
After the expiration of the latter term he 
made his famous tour of the world. He died 
at Mt. McGregor, near Saratoga, New York, 
July 23, 1885, and was buried at Riverside 
Park, New York, where a magnificent tomb 
has been erected to hold the ashes of the 
nation's hero. 



JOHN MARSHALL, the fourth chief jus- 
tice of the United States supreme court, 
was born in Germantown, Virginia, Septem- 
ber 24, 17SS His father. Colonel Thomas 
Marshall, served with distinction in the Rev- 



olutionary war, while he also served from 
the beginning of the war until 1779, where 
he became noted in the field and courts 
martial. While on detached service he at- 
tended a course of law lectures at William 
and Mary College, delivered by Mr. Wythe, 
and was admitted to the bar. The next year 
he resigned his commission and began his 
career as a lawyer. He was a distinguished 
member of the convention called in Virginia 
to ratify the Federal constitution. He was 
tendered the attorney-generalship of the 
United States, and also a place on the su- 
preme bench, besides other places of less 
honor, all of which he declined. He 
went to France as special envoy in 1798, 
and the next year was elected to congress. 
He served one year and was appointed, first, 
secretary of war, and then secretary of state, 
and in 1801 was made chief justice of the 
United States. He held this high ofiice un- 
til his death, in 1835. 

Chief Justice Marshall's early education 
was neglected, and his opinions, the most 
valuable in existence, are noted for depth 
of wisdom, clear and comprehensive reason- 
ing, justice, and permanency, rather than for 
wide learning and scholarly construction. 
His decisions and rulings are resorted to 
constantly by our greatest lawyers, and his 
renown as a just judge and profound jurist 
was world wide. 



LAWRENCE BARRETT is perhaps 
known more widely as a producer of 
new plays than as a great actor. He was 
born in Paterson, New Jersey, in 1838, and 
educated himself as best he could, and at 
the age of sixteen years became salesman 
for a Detroit dry goods house. He after- 
wards began to go upon the stage as a 
supernumerary, and his ambition was soon 
rewarded by the notice of the management. 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 



157 



During the war of the Rebellion he was a 
soldier, and after valiant service for his 
country he returned to the stage. He went 
to Europe and appeared in Liverpool, and 
returning in 1869, he began playing at 
Booth's theater, with Mr. Booth. He was 
afterward associated with John McCullough 
in the management of the California 
theater. Probably the most noted period 
of his work was during his connection with 
Edwin Booth as manager of that great 
actor, and supporting him upon the stage. 
Mr. Barrett was possessed of the crea- 
tive instinct, and, unlike Mr. Booth, he 
sought new fields for the display of his 
genius, and only resorted to traditional 
drama in response to popular demand. He 
preferred new plays, and believed in the 
encouragement of modern dramatic writers, 
and was the only actor of prominence in his 
time that ventured to put upon the stage 
new American plays, which he did at his 
own expense, and the success of his experi- 
ments proved the quality of his judgment. 
He died March 21, 1891. 



ARCHBISHOP JOHN HUGHES, a cel- 
ebrated Catholic clergyman, was born 
at Annaboghan, Tyrone county, Ireland, 
June 24, 1797, and emigrated to America 
when twenty years of age, engaging for 
some time as a gardener and nurseryman. 
In 1 8 19 he entered St. Mary's College, 
where he secured an education, paying his 
way by caring for the college garden. In 
1825 he was ordained a deacon of the Ro- 
man Catholic church, and in the same year, 
a priest. Until 1838 he had pastoral charges 
in Philadelphia, where he founded St. John's 
Asylum in 1829, and a few years later es- 
tablished the "Catholic Herald." In 1838 
he was made bishop of Basileopolis in parti- 
bus and coadjutor to Bishop Dubois, of 



New York, and in 1842 became bishop of 
New York. In 1839 he founded St. John's 
College, at Fordham. In 1850 he was 
made archbishop of New York. In 186 1-2 
he was a special agent of the United States 
in Europe, after which he returned to this 
country and remained until his death, Jan- 
uary 3, 1864. Archbishop Hughes early 
attracted much attention by his controver- 
sial correspondence with Rev. John Breck- 
inridge in 1833-35. He was a man of great 
ability, a fluent and forceful writer and an 
able preacher. 



RUTHERFORD BIRCHARD HAYES 
was the nineteenth president of the 
United States and served from 1877 to 1881. 
He was born October 4, 1822, at Delaware, 
Ohio, and his ancestry can be traced back 
as far as 1280, when Hayes and Rutherford 
were two Scottish chieftans fighting side by 
side with Baliol, William Wallace and 
Robert Bruce. The Hayes family had for 
a coat of arms, a shield, barred and sur- 
mounted by a flying eagle. There was a 
circle of stars about the eagle, while on a 
scroll underneath was their motto, "Recte." 
Misfortune overtook the family and in 1680 
George Hayes, the progenitor of the Ameri- 
can family, came to Connecticut and settled 
at Windsor. Rutherford B. Hayes was 
a very delicate child at his birth and was 
not e-xpected to live, but he lived in spite of 
all and remained at home until he was 
seven years old, when he was placed in 
school. He was a very tractablepupil, being 
always very studious, and in 1838 entered 
Kenyon College, graduating from the same 
in 1842. He then took up the study of law 
in the ofiice of Thomas Sparrow at Colum- 
bus, but in a short time he decided to enter 
a law school at Cambridge, Massachusetts, 
where for two years he was immersed in the 



158 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 



study of law. Mr. Hayes was admitted to 
the bar in 1845 '^i Marietta, Ohio, and very 
soon entered upon the active practice of his 
profession with Ralph P. Buckland, of 
Fremont, Ohio. He remained there three 
years, and in 1849 removed to Cincinnati, 
Ohio, where his ambition found a new 
stimulus. Two events occurred at this 
period that had a powerful influence on his 
after life. One was his marriage to Miss 
Lucy Ware Webb, and the other was his 
introduction to a Cincinnati literary club, 
a body embracing such men as Salmon P. 
Chase, John Pope, and Edward F. Noyes. 
In 1856 he was nominated for judge of the 
court of common pleas, but declined, and 
two years later he was appointed city 
solicitor. At the outbreak of the Rebellion 
Mr. Hayes was appointed major of the 
Twenty-third Ohio Infantry, June 7, 1861, 
and in July the regiment was ordered to 
Virginia, and October 15, 1861, saw him 
promoted to the lieutenant-colonelcy of his 
regiment. He was made colonel of the 
Seventy-ninth Ohio Infantry, but refused to 
leave his old comrades; and in the battle of 
South Mountain he was wounded very 
severely and was unable to rejoin his regi- 
ment until November 30, 1862. He had 
been promoted to the colonelcy of the 
regiment on October 15, 1862. In the 
following December he was appointed to 
command the Kanawa division and was 
given the rank of brigadier-general for 
meritorious services in several battles, and 
in 1864 he was brevetted major-general for 
distinguished services in 1864, during 
which campaign he was wounded several 
times and five horses had been shot under 
him. Mr. Hayes' first venture in politics 
was as a Whig, and later he was one of the 
first to unite with the Republican party. In 
1864 he was elected from the Second Ohio 



district to congress, re-elected in 1866, 
and in 1867 was elected governor of Ohio 
over Allen G. Thurman, and was re-elected 
in 1869. Mr. Hayes was elected to the 
presidency in 1876, for the term of four 
years, and at its close retired to private life, 
and went to his home in Fremont, Ohio, 
where he died on January 17, 1893. 



WILLIAM JENNINGS BRYAN became 
a celebrated character as the nominee 
of the Democratic and Populist parties for 
president of the United States in 1896. He 
was born March 19, i860, at Salem, Illi- 
nois. He received his early education in 
the public schools of his native county, and 
later on he attended the Whipple Academy 
at Jacksonville. He also took a course in 
Illinois College, and after his graduation 
from the same went to Chicago to study 
law, and entered the Union College of Law 
a= a student. He was associated with the 
late Lyman Trumbull, of Chicago, during 
his law studies, and devoted considerable 
time to the questions of government. He 
graduated from the college, was admitted to 
the bar, and went to Jacksonville, Illinois, 
where he was married to Miss Mary Eliza- 
beth Baird. In 1887 Mr. Bryan removed 
to Lincoln, Nebraska, and formed a law 
partnership with Adolphus R. Talbot. He 
entered the field of politics, and in 1888 
was sent as a delegate to the state con- 
vention, which was to choose delegates to 
the national convention, during which he 
made a speech which immediately won him 
a high rank in political affairs. He declined, 
in the next state convention, a nomination 
for lieutenant-governor, and in 1890 he was 
elected congressman from the First district 
of Nebraska, and was the youngest member 
of the fifty-second congress. He cham- 
pioned the Wilson tariff bill, and served 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 



150 



three terms in the house of representatives. 
He next ran for senator, but was defeated 
by John M. Thurston, and in 1896 he was 
selected by the Democratic and Populist 
parties as their nominee for the presidency, 
being defeated by William McKinley. 



M' 



ARVIN HUGH ITT. one of America's 
famous railroad men, was born in 
Genoa, New York, and entered the railway 
service in 1856 as superintendent of tele- 
graph and trainmaster of the St. Louis, Al- 
ton & Chicago, now Chicago & Alton Rail- 
road. Mr. Hughitt was superintendent of 
the southern division of the Illinois Central 
Railroad from 1862 until 1864, and was, later 
on, the general superintendent of the road 
until 1870. He was then connected with 
the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Rail- 
road as assistant general manager, and re- 
tained this position until 1871, when he be- 
came the general manager of Pullman's 
Palace Car Company. In 1872 he was made 
general superintendent of the Chicago & 
Northwestern Railroad. He served during 
1876 and up to 1880 as general manager, 
and from 1880 until 1887 as vice-presi- 
dent and general manager. He was elected 
president of the road in 1887, in recog- 
nition of his ability in conducting the 
affairs of the road. He was also chosen 
president of the Chicago, St. Paul, Minne- 
apolis & Omaha Railway; the Fremont, Elk- 
horn & Missouri Valley Railroad, and the 
Milwaukee, Lake Shore & Western Railroad, 
and his services in these capacities stamped 
him as one of the most able railroad mana- 
gers of his day. 



JOSEPH MEDILL, one of the most 
eminent of American journalists, was 
born in New Brunswick, Canada, April 6, 
1823. In 1831 his father moved to Stark 



county, Ohio, and until 1841 Joseph Medill 
worked on his father's farm. Later he 
studied law, and began the practice of that 
profession in 1846 at New Philadelphia, 
Ohio. But the newspaper field was more 
attractive to Mr. Medill, and three years 
later he founded a free-soil Whig paper at 
Coshocton, Ohio, and after that time jour- 
nalism received all his abilities. "The 
Leader," another free-soil Whig paper, was 
founded by Mr. Medill at Cleveland in 1852. 
In that city he also became one of the first 
organizers of the Republican party. Shortly 
after that event he removed to Chicago and 
in 1855, with two partners, he purchased 
the " Chicago Tribune." In the contest for 
the nomination for the presidency in i860, 
Mr. Medill worked with unflagging zeal for 
Mr. Lincoln, his warm personal friend, and 
was one of the president's stanchest sup- 
porters during the war. Mr. Medill was a 
member of the Illinois Constitutional con- 
vention in 1870. President Grant, in 1871, 
appointed the editor a member of the firsi' 
United States civil service commission, and 
the following year, after the fire, he was 
elected mayor of Chicago by a great ma- 
jority. During 1873 and 1874 Mr. Medill 
spent a year in Europe. Upon his return 
he purchased a controlling interest in the 
" Chicago Tribune." 



CLAUSSPRECKELS, the great " sugar 
baron," and one of the most famous 
representatives of commercial life in Amer- 
ica, was born in Hanover, Germany, and 
emigrated to the United States in 1840, 
locating in New York. He very soon be- 
came the proprietor of a small retail gro- 
cery store on Church street, and embarked 
on a career that has since astonished the 
world. He sold out his business and went 
to California with the argonauts of 1849, 



160 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 



not as a prospector, but as a trader, and for 
years after his arrival on the coast he was 
still engaged as a grocer. At length, after a 
quarter of a century of fairly prosperous 
business life, he found himself in a position 
where an ordinary man would have retired, 
but Mr. Spreckles did not retire; he had 
merely been gathering capital for the real 
work of his life. His brothers had followed 
him to California, and in combination with 
them he purchased for forty thousand dollars 
an interest in the Albany Brewery in San 
Francisco. But the field was not extensive 
enough for the development of his business 
abilities, so Mr. Sprecklas branched out 
extensively in the sugar business. He suc- 
ceeded in securing the entire output of 
sugar that was produced on the Sand- 
wich Islands, and after 1885 was known as 
the "Sugar King of Sandwich Islands." 
He controlled absolutely the sugar trade of 
the Pacific coast which was known to be 
not less than ten million dollars a year. 



CHARLES HENRY PARKHURST, 
famous as a clergyman, and for many 
years president of the Society for the 
Prevention of Crime, was born April 17, 
1842, at Framingham, Massachusetts, of 
English descent. At the age of sixteen 
he was pupil in the grammar school at 
Clinton, Massachusetts, and for the ensu- 
ing two years was a clerk in a dry goods 
store, which position he gave up to prepare 
himself for college at Lancaster academy. 
Mr. Parkhurst went to Amherst in 1862, 
and after taking a thorough course he gradu- 
ated in 1866, and in 1867 became the prin- 
cipal of the Amherst High School. He re- 
tained this position until 1870, when he 
visited Germany with the intention of tak- 
ing a course in philosophy and theology, 
but was forced to abandon this intention on 



account of illness in the family causing his 
early return from Europe. He accepted the 
chair of Latin and Greek in Williston Semi- 
nary, Easthampton, Massachusetts, and re- 
mained there two years. He then accom- 
panied his wife to Europe, and devoted two 
years to study in Halle, Leipsic and Bonn. 
Upon his return home he spent considerable 
time in the study of Sanscrit, and in 1S74 
he became the pastor of the First Congrega- 
tional church at Lenox, Massachusetts. He 
gained here his reputation as a pulpit ora- 
tor, and on March 9, 1880, he became the 
pastor of the Madison Square Presbyterian 
church of New York. He was, in 1890, 
made a member of the Society for the Pre- 
vention of Crime, and the same year be- 
came its president. He delivered a sermon 
in 1892 on municipal corruption, for which 
he was brought before the grand jury, which 
body declared his charges to be without suffi- 
cient foundation. But the matter did not end 
here, for he immediately went to work on a 
second sermon in which he substantiated his 
former sermon and wound up by saying, 
"I know, for I have seen." He was again 
summoned before that august body, and as 
a result of his testimony and of the investi- 
gation of the jurors themselves, the police 
authorities were charged with incompetency 
and corruption. Dr. Parkhurst was the 
author of the following works: "The Forms 
of the Latin Verb, Illustrated by Sanscrit," 
"The Blind Man's Creed and Other Ser- 
mons," "The Pattern on the Mount," and 
" Three Gates on a Side." 



HENRY BERGH, although a writer, 
diplomatist and government official, 
was noted as a philanthropist — the founder 
of the American Society for the Prevention 
of Cruelty to Animals. On his labors for 
the dumb creation alone rests his fame. 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 



161 



Alone, in the face of indifference, opposition 
and ridicule, he began the reform which is 
now recognized as one of the beneficent 
movements of the age. Through his exer- 
tions as a speaker and lecturer, but above 
all as a bold worker, in the street, in the 
court room, before the legislature, the cause 
he adopted gained friends and rapidly in- 
creased in power until it has reached im- 
mense proportions and influence. The work 
of the society covers all cases of cruelty to 
all sorts of animals, employs every moral 
agency, social, legislative and personal, and 
touches points of vital concern to health as 
well as humanity. 

Henry Bergh was born in New York 
City in 1823, and was educated at Colum- 
bia College. In 1863 he was made secre- 
tary of the legation to Russia and also 
served as vice-consul there. He also de- 
voted some time to literary pursuits and was 
the author of "Love's Alternative," a 
drama; "Married Of?," a poem; "'The 
Portentous Telegram, " "The Ocean Para- 
gon;" "The Streets of New York," tales 
and sketches. 



HENRY BENJAMIN WHIPPLE, one 
of the most eminent of American di- 
vines, was born in Adams, Jefferson county, 
New York, February 15, 1822. He was 
brought up in the mercantile business, and 
early in life took an active interest in polit- 
ical affairs. In 1847 he became a candidate 
for holy orders and pursued theological 
studies with Rev. W. D. Wilson, D. D., 
afterward professor in Cornell University. 
He was ordained deacon in 1849, in Trinity 
church, Geneva, New York, by Rt. Rev. 
W. H. De Lancey, D. D., and took charge 
of Zion church, Rome, New York, Decem- 
ber I, 1849. In 1850, our subject was or- 
dained priest by Bishop De Lancey. In 



1857 he became rector of the Church of the 
Holy Communion, Chicago. On the 30th 
of June, 1859, he was chosen bishop of 
Minnesota, and took charge of the interests 
of the Episcopal church in that state, being 
located at Faribault. In i860 Bishop 
Whipple, with Revs. I. L. Breck, S. W. 
Mauncey and E. S. Peake, organized the 
Bishop Seabury ^Kssion, out of which has 
grown the Cathedral of Our Merciful Savior, 
the Seabury Divinity School, Shattuck 
School and St. Mary's Hall, which have 
made Faribault City one of the greatest 
educational centersof the northwest. Bishop 
Whipple also became noted as the friend 
and defender of the North American In- 
dians and planted a number of successful 
missions among them. 



EZRA CORNELL was one of the greatest 
philanthropists and friends of education 
the country has known. He was born at 
Westchester Landing, New York, January 
II, 1807. He grew to manhood in his na- 
tive state and became a prominent figure in 
business circles as a successful and self-made 
man. Soon after the invention of the elec- 
tric telegraph, he devoted his attention to 
that enterprise, and accumulated an im- 
mense fortune. In 1865, by a gift of five 
hundred thousand dollars, he made possible 
the founding of Cornell University, which 
was named in his honor. He afterward 
made additional bequests amountingto many 
hundred thousand dollars. His death oc- 
curred at Ithaca, New York, December 9, 
1874- 

IGNATIUS DONNELLY, widely knowi, 
1 as an author and politician, was born in 
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, November 3, 
1 83 1. He was educated at the public 
schools of that city, and graduated from the 



162 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 



Central High School in 1849. He studied 
law in the office of Judge B. H. Brewster, 
and was admitted to the bar in 1852. In 
the spring of 1856, Mr. Donnelly emigrated 
to Minnesota, then a new territory, and, at 
Hastings, resumed the practice of law in 
partnership with A. M. Hayes. In 1857, 
and again in 1858, he was defeated for state 
senator, but in 1859 he was elected by the 
Republicans as lieutenant-governor, and re- 
elected in 1 86 1. In 1862 he was elected to 
represent the Second district of Minnesota 
in congress. He was re-elected to the same 
office in 1864 and in 1866. He was an 
abolitionist and warmly supported President 
Lincoln's administration, but was strongly 
in favor of leniency toward the people of 
the south, after the war. In many ways he 
was identified with some of the best meas- 
ures brought before the house during his 
presence there. In the spring of 1868, at 
the request of the Republican national com- 
mittee, he canvassed New Hampshire and 
Connecticut in the interests of that party. 
E. B. Washburne about this time made an 
attack on Donnelly in one of the papers of 
Minnesota, which was replied to on the floor 
of the house by a fierce phillipic that will 
long be remembered. Through the inter- 
vention of the Washburne interests Mr. Don- 
nelly failed of a re-election in 1870. In 
1873 he was elected to the state senate from 
Dakota county, and continuously re-elected 
until 1878. In 1886 he was elected mem- 
ber of the house for two years. In later 
years he identified himself with the Popu- 
list party. 

In 1882, Mr. Donnelly became known as 
an author, publishing his first literary work, 
"Atlantis, the Antediluvian World," which 
passed through over twenty-two editions in 
America, several in England, and was trans- 
lated into French. This was followed by 



" Ragnarok, the Age of Fire and Gravel," 
which attained nearly as much celebrity as 
the first, and these two, in the opinion of 
scientific critics, are sufficient to stamp the 
author as a most capable and painstaking 
student of the facts he has collated in them. 
The work by which he gained the greatest 
notoriety, however, was "The Great Cryp- 
togram, or Francis Bacon's Cipher in the 
Shakespeare Plays." "Cassar's Column," 
" Dr. Huguet," and other works were pub- 
lished subsequently. 



STEVEN V. WHITE, a speculator of 
Wall Street of national reputation, was 
born in Chatham county, North Carolina, 
August I, 1 83 1, and soon afterward re- 
moved to Illinois. His home was a log 
cabin, and until his eighteenth year he 
worked on the farm. Then after several 
years of struggle with poverty he graduated 
from Knox College, and went to St. Louis, 
where he entered a wholesale boot and shoe 
house as bookkeeper. He then studied law 
and worked as a reporter for the ' ' Missouri 
Democrat." After his admission to the bar 
he went to New York, in 1865, and became 
a member of the banking house of Marvin 
& White. Mr. White enjoyed the reputa- 
tion of having engineered the only corner 
in Wall Street since Commodore Vander- 
bilt's time. This was the famous Lacka- 
wanna deal in 1883, in which he made a 
profit of two million dollars. He was some- 
times called " Deacon" White, and, though 
a member for many years of the Plymouth 
church, he never held that office. Mr. 
White was one of the most noted characters 
of the street, and has been called an orator, 
poet, philanthropist, linguist, abolitionist, 
astronomer, schoolmaster, plowboy, and 
trapper. He was a lawyer, e.\-congress- 
man, expert accountant, art critic andtheo- 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 



i6B 



Idgian. He laid the foundation for a 
"Home for Colored People," in Chatham 
county, North Carolina, where the greater 
part of his father's life was spent, and in 
whose memory the work was undertaken. 



JAMES A. GARFIELD, the twentieth 
president of the United States, was born 
November 19, 1831, in Cuyahoga county, 
Ohio, and was the son of Abram and Eliza 
(Baliou) Garfield. In 1833 the father, an 
industrious pioneer farmer, died, and the 
care of the family devolved upon Thomas, 
to whom James became deeply indebted for 
educational and other advantages. As James 
grew up he was industrious and worked on 
the farm, at carpentering, at chopping wood, 
or anything else he found to do, and in the 
meantime made the most of his books. 

Until he was about sixteen, James' high- 
est ambition was to become a sea captain. 
On attaining that age he walked to 
Cleveland, and, not being able to find work, 
he engaged as a driver on the Ohio & Penn- 
sylvania canal, but quit this after a short 
time. He attended the seminary at Ches- 
ter for about three years, after which he 
entered Hiram Institute, a school started by 
the Disciples of Christ in 1850. In order 
to pay his way he assumed the duties of 
janitor and at times taught school. After 
completing his course at the last named edu- 
cational institution he entered Williams Col- 
lege, from which he graduated in 1856. He 
afterward returned to Hiram College as its 
president. He studied law and was admitted 
to the bar in 1859. November 11, 1858, 
Mr. Garfield and Lucretia Rudolph were 
married. 

In 1859 Mr. Garfield made his first polit- 
ical speeches, at Hiram and in the neighbor- 
hood. The same year he was elected to the 
state senate. 



On the breaking out of the war, in 186 1, 
he became lieutenant-colonel of the Forty 
second Ohio Infantry, and, while but a ne^ 
soldier, was given command of four regi- 
ments of infantry and eight companies of 
cavalry, with which he drove the Confeder- 
ates under Humphrey Marshall out of Ken 
tucky. January II, 1862, he was commis- 
sioned brigadier-general. He participated 
with General Buell in the battle of Shiloh 
and the operations around Corinth, and was 
then detailed as a member of the Fitz John 
Porter court-martial. Reporting to General 
Rosecrans, he was assigned to the position 
of chief of staff, and resigned his position, 
with the rank of major-general, when his 
immediate superior was superseded. In 
the fall of 1862 Mr. Garfield was elected to 
congress and remained in that body, either 
in the house or senate, until 1880. 

June 8, 1880, at the national Republican 
convention, held in Chicago, General Gar- 
field was nominated for the presidency, and 
was elected. He was inaugurated March 
4, 1 88 1, but, July 2, following, he was shot 
and fatally wounded by Charles Guiteau for 
some fancied political slight, and died Sep- 
tember 19, 1881. 



INCREASE MATHER was one of the 

1 most prominent preachers, educators and 
authors of early times in the New England 
states. He was born at Dorchester, Massa- 
chusetts, June 21, 1639, and was given an 
excellent education, graduating at Harvard 
in 1656, and at Trinity College, Dublin, 
two years later. He was ordained a min- 
ister, and preached in England and America, 
and in 1664 became pastor of the North 
church, in Boston. In 1685 he became 
president of Harvard University, serving 
until 1 701. In 1692 he received the first 
doctorate in divinity conferred in English 



164 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 



speaking America. The same year he pro- 
cured in England a new charter for Massa- 
chusetts, which conferred upon himself the 
power of naming the governor, lieutenant- 
governor and council. He opposed the 
severe punishment of witchcraft, and took 
a prominent part in all public affairs of his 
day. He was a prolific writer, and became 
the author of nearly one hundred publica- 
tions, large and small. His death occurred 
August 23, 1723, at Boston. 



COTTON MATHER, a celebrated minis- 
ter in the "Puritan times" of New 
England, was born at Boston, Massachu- 
setts, February 12, 1663, being a son of 
Rev. Increase Mather, and a grandson of 
John Cotton. A biography of his father 
will be found elsewhere in this volume. 
Cotton Mather received his early education 
in his native city, was trained by Ezekiel 
Cheever, and graduated at Harvard College 
in 1678; became a teacher, and in 1684 
was ordained as associate pastor of North 
church, Boston, with his father, having by 
persistent effort overcome an impediment in 
his speech. He labored with great zeal as 
a pastor, endeavoring also, to establish the 
ascendancy of the church and ministry in 
civil affairs, and in the putting down of 
witchcraft by legal sentences, a work in 
which he took an active part and through 
which he is best known in history. He re- 
ceived the degree of D. D. in 17 10, con- 
ferred by the University of Glasgow, and 
F. R. S. in 17 1 3. His death occurred at 
Boston, February 13, 1728. He was the 
author of many publications, among which 
were " Memorable Providences Relating to 
Witchcraft," "Wonders of the Invisible 
World," "Essays to Do Good," " Mag- 
nalia Christi Americana," and " Illustra- 
tions of the Sacred Scriptures." Some of 



these works are quaint and curious, full of 
learning, piety and prejudice. A well- 
known writer, in summing up the life and 
character of Cotton Mather, says: ' ' Mather, 
with all the faults of his early years, was 3 
man of great excellence of character. He 
labored zealously for the benefit of the 
poor, for mariners, slaves, criminals and 
Indians. His cruelty and credulity were 
the faults of his age, while his philanthro- 
phy was far more rare in that age than in 
the present." 

WILLIAM A. PEFFER, who won a 
national reputation during the time 
he was in the United States senate, was 
born on a farm in Cumberland county, 
Pennsylvania, September 10, 1831. He 
drew his education from the public schools 
of his native state and at the age of fifteen 
taught school in winter, working on a farm 
in the summer. In June, 1853, while yet a 
young man, he removed to Indiana, and 
opened up a farm in St. Joseph county. 
In 1859 he made his way to Missouri and 
settled on a farm in Morgan county, but on 
account of the war and the unsettled state 
of the country, he moved to Illinois in Feb- 
ruary,' 1862, and enlisted as a private in 
Company F, Eighty-third Illinois Infantry, 
the following August. He was promoted 
to the rank of second lieutenant in 
March, 1863, and served successively as 
quartermaster, adjutant, post adjutant, 
judge advocate of a military commission, 
and depot quartermaster in the engineer 
department at Nashville. He was mustered 
out of the service June 26, 1865. He had, 
during his leisure hours while in the army, 
studied law, and in August, 1865, he com- 
menced the practice of that profession at 
Clarksville, Tennessee. He removed to 
Kansas in 1870 and practiced there until 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 



165 



1878, in the meantime establishing and 
conducting two newspapers, the " Fredonia 
Journal " and " Coffey ville Journal." 

Mr. Peffer was elected to the state senate 
in 1874 and was a prominent and influential 
member of several important committees. 
He served as a presidential elector in 1880. 
The year following he became editor of the 
" Kansas Farmer," which he made a promi- 
nent and useful paper. In 1890 Mr. Peffer 
was elected to the United States senate as 
a member of the People's party and took 
his seat March 4, 1891. After six years of 
service Senator Peffer was succeeded in 
March, 1897, by William A. Harris. 



ROBERT MORRIS.— The name of this 
financier, statesman and patriot is 
closely connected with the early history of 
the United States. He was a native of 
England, born January 20, 1734, and came 
to America with his father when thirteen 
years old. Until 1754 he served in the 
counting house of Charles Willing, then 
formed a partnership with that gentleman's 
son, which continued with great success until 
1793. In 1776 Mr. Morris was a delegate 
to the Continental congress, and, although 
once voting against the Declaration of Inde- 
pendence, signed that paper on its adop- 
tion, and was several times thereafter re- 
elected to congress. During the Revolu- 
tionary war the services of Robert Morris 
in aiding the government during its finan- 
cial difficulties were of incalculable value; he 
freely pledged his personal credit for sup- 
plies for the army, atonetimeto the amount 
of about one and ahalf million dollars, with- 
out which the campaign of 1781 would have 
been almost impossible. Mr. Morris was 
appointed superintendent of finance in 1781 
and served until 1784, continuing to employ 
his personal credit to facilitate the needs of 



his department. He also served as mem- 
ber of the Pennsylvania legislature, and 
from 1786 to 1795 was United States sena- 
tor, declining meanwhile the position of sec- 
retary of the treasury, and suggesting the 
name of Alexander Hamilton, who was ap- 
pointed to that post. During the latter 
part of his life Mr. Morris was engaged ex- 
tensively in the China trade, and later be- 
came involved in land speculations, which 
ruined him, so that the remaining days of 
this noble man and patriot were passed 
in confinement for debt. His death occurred 
at Philadelphia, May 8, 1806. 



WILLIAM SHARON, a senator and 
capitalist, and mine owner of na- 
tional reputation, was born at Smithfield, 
Ohio, January 9, 1821. He was reared 
upon a farm and in his boyhood given excel- 
lent educational advantages and in 1842 
entered Athens College. He remained in 
that institution about two years, after which 
he studied law with Edwin M. Stanton, and 
was admitted to the bar at St. Louis and 
commenced practice. His health failing, 
however, he abandoned his profession and 
engaged in mercantile pursuits at Carrollton, 
Greene county, Illinois. During the time 
of the gold excitement of 1849, Mr. Sharon 
went to California, whither so many went, 
and engaged in business at Sacramento. 
The next year he removed to San Francisco, 
where he operated in real estate. Being 
largely interested in its silver mines, he re- 
moved to Nevada, locating at Virginia City, 
and acquired an immense fortune. He be- 
came one of the trustees of the Bank of 
California, and during the troubles that 
arose on the death of William Ralston, the 
president of that institution, was largely in- 
strumental in bringing its affairs into a satis- 
factory shape. 



166 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 



Mr. Sharon was elected to represent the 
state of Nevada in the United States senate 
in 1875, and remained a member of that 
body until 1881. He was always distin- 
guished for close application to business. 
Senator Sharon died November 13, 1885. 



HENRY W. SHAW, an American hu- 
morist who became celebrated under 
the 7ion-de-plume of " Josh Billings," gained 
his fame from the witticism of his writing, 
and peculiar eccentricity of style and spell- 
ing. He was born at Lanesborough, Mas- 
sachusetts, in 181 8. For twenty-five years 
he lived in different parts of the western 
states, following various lines of business, 
including farming and auctioneering, and in 
the latter capacity settled at Poughkeepsie, 
New York, in 1858. In 1863 he began 
writing humorous sketches for the news- 
papers over the signature of "Josh Bill- 
ings," and became immediately popular 
both as a writer and lecturer. He pub- 
hshed a number of volumes of comic 
sketches and edited an " Annual Allminax " 
for a number of years, which had a wide cir- 
culation. His death occurred October 14, 
1885, at Monterey, California. 



JOHN M. THURSTON, well known 
»J throughout this country as a senator 
and political leader, was born at Mont- 
pelier, Vermont, August 21, 1847, of an 
old Puritan family which dated back their 
ancestry in this country to 1636, and among 
whom were soldiers of the Revolution and 
of the war of 1812-15. 

Young Thurston was brought west by 
the family in 1854, they settling at Madison, 
Wisconsin, and two years later at Beaver 
Dam, where John M. received his schooling 
in the public schools and at Wayland Uni- 
versity. His father enlisted as a private in 



the First Wisconsin Cavalry and died while 
in the service, in the spring of 1863. 

Young Thurston, thrown on his own 
resources while attaining an education, sup- 
ported himself by farm work, driving team 
and at other manual labor. He studied law 
and was admitted to the bar May 21, 1869, 
and in October of the same year located in 
Omaha, Nebraska. He was elected a 
member of the city council in 1872, city 
attorney in 1874 and a member of the Ne- 
braska legislature in 1874. He was a mem- 
ber of the Republican national convention 
of 1884 and temporary chairman of that of 
1888. Taking quite an interest in the 
younger members of his party he was instru- 
mental in forming the Republican League 
of the United States, of which he was presi- 
dent for two years. He was then elected a 
member of the United States senate, in 
1895, to represent the state of Nebraska. 

As an attorney John M. Thurston occu- 
pied a very prominent place, and for a num- 
ber of years held the position of general 
solicitor of the Union Pacific railroad sys- 
tem. 

JOHN JAMES AUDUBON, a celebrated 
American naturalist, was born in Louis- 
iana, May 4, 1780, and was the son of an 
opulent French naval officer who owned a 
plantation in the then French colony. In 
his childhood he became deeply interested 
in the study of birds and their habits. About 
1794 he was sent to Paris, France, where 
he was partially educated, and studied de- 
signing under the famous painter, Jacques 
Louis David. He returned to the Unit- 
ed States about 1798, and settled on a 
farm his father gave him, on the Perkiomen 
creek in eastern Pennsylvania. He mar- 
ried Lucy Bakewell in 1808, and, disposing 
of his property, removed to Louisville, Ken- 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 



167 



tucky, where he engaged in mercantile pur- 
suits. About two years later he began to 
make extensive excursions through the pri- 
meval forests of the southern and south- 
western states, in the exploration of which 
he passed many years. He made colored 
drawings of all the species of birds that he 
found. For several years he made his home 
with his wife and children at Henderson, on 
the Ohio river. It is said that about this 
time he had failed in business and was re- 
duced to poverty, but kept the wolf from the 
door by giving dancing lessons and in portrait 
painting. In 1824, at Philadelphia, he met 
Charles Lucien Bonaparte, who encouraged 
him to publish a work on ornithology. Two 
years later he went to England and com- 
menced the publication of his great work, 
"The Birds of America." He obtained a 
large number of subscribers at one thousand 
dollars a copy. This work, embracing five 
volumes of letterpress and five volumes of 
beautifully colored plates, was pronounced 
by Cuvier " the most magnificent monument 
that art ever raised to ornithology." 

Audubon returned to America in 1829, 
and explored the forests, lakes and coast 
from Canada to Florida, collecting material 
for another work. This was his " Ornitho- 
logical Biography; or, An Account of the 
Habits of the Birds of the United States, 
Etc." He revisited England in 1831, and 
returned in 1839, after which he resiaed on 
the Hudson, near New York City, in which 
place he died January 27, 185 1. During 
his life he issued a cheaper edition of his 
great work, and was, in association with 
Dr. Bachman, preparing a work on the 
quadrupeds of North America. 



COMMODORE THOMAS McDON- 
OUGH gained his principal fame from 
he celebrated victory which he gained over 



the superior British squadron, under Com- 
modore Downie, September II, 18 14. Com- 
modore McDonough was born in Newcastle 
county, Delaware, December 23, 1783, and 
when seventeen years old entered the 
United States navy as midshipman, serving 
in the expedition to Tripoli, under Decatur, 
in 1803-4. In 1807 he was promoted to 
lieutenant, and in July, 18 13, was made a 
commander. The following year, on Lake 
Champlain, he gained the celebrated victory 
above referred to, for which he was again 
promoted; also received a gold medal from 
congress, and from the state of Vermont an 
estate on Cumberland Head, in view of the 
scene of the engagement. His death oc- 
curred at sea, November 16, 1825, while he 
was returning from the command of the 
Mediterranean squadron. 



CHARLES FRANCIS HALL, one of 
America's most celebrated arctic ex- 
plorers, was born in Rochester, New Hamp- 
shire, in 1 82 1. He was a blacksmith by 
trade, and located in Cincinnati, where later 
he became a journalist. For several years 
he devoted a great deal of attention to cal- 
orics. Becoming interested in the fate of the 
explorer, Sir John Franklin, he joined the 
expedition fitted out by Henry Grinnell and 
sailed in the ship "George Henry," under 
Captain Buddington, which left New Lon- 
don, Connecticut, in i860. He returned in 
1862, and two years later published his 
" Arctic Researches." He again joined the 
expedition fitted out by Mr. Grinnell, and 
sailed in the ship, " Monticello," under 
Captain Buddington, this time remaining in 
the arctic region over four years. On his 
return he brought back many evidences of 
having found trace of Franklin. 

In 1 87 1 the " Polaris " was fitted out by 
the United States government, and Captain 



168 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 



Hall again sailed for the polar regions. He 
died in Greenland in October, 1871, and the 
"Polaris" was finally abandoned by the 
crew, a portion of which, under Captain 
Tyson, drifted with the icebergs for one 
hundred and ninety-five days, until picked 
up by the " Tigress," on the 30th of April, 
1873. The other portion of the crew built 
boats, and, after a perilous voyage, were 
picked up in June, 1873, by a whahng vessel. 



OLIVER ELLSWORTH, the third chief 
justice of the United States, was born 
at Windsor, Connecticut, April 29, 1745. 
After graduating from Princeton, he took 
up the study of law, and was licensed 
to practice in 177 1. In 1777 he was elected 
as a delegate to the Continental congress. 
He was judge of the superior court of his 
state in 1784, and was chosen as a delegate 
to the constitutional convention in 1787. 
He sided with the Federalists, was elected 
to the United States senate in 1789, and 
was a firm supporter of Washington's policy. 
He won great distinction in that body, and 
was appointed chief justice of the supreme 
court of the United States by Washington 
in 1796. The relations between this coun- 
try and France having become violently 
strained, he was sent to Paris as envoy ex- 
traordinary in 1799, and was instrumental 
in negotiating the treaty that averted war. 
He resigned the following year, and was suc- 
ceeded by Chief Justice Marshall. His 
death occurred November 26, 1807. 



MELLVILLE W^ESTON FULLER, an 
eminent American jurist and chief 
justice of the United States supreme court, 
was born in Augusta, Maine, in 1833. His 
education was looked after in boyhood, and 
at the age of sixteen he entered Bowdoin 
College, and on graduation entered the law 



department of Harvard University. He then 
entered the law office of his uncle at Ban- 
gor, Maine, and soon after opened an office 
for the practice of law at Augusta. He was 
an alderman from his ward, city attorney, 
and editor of the "Age," a rival newspaper 
of the "Journal," which was conducted by 
James G. Blaine. He soon decided to re- 
move to Chicago, then springing into notice 
as a western metropolis. He at once iden- 
tified himself with the interests of the 
new city, and by this means acquired an 
experience that fitted him for his future 
work. He devoted himself assiduously to 
his profession, and had the good fortune to 
connect himself with the many suits grow- 
ing out of the prorogation of the Illinois 
legislature in 1863. It was not long before 
he became one of the foremost lawyers in 
Chicago. He made a three days' speech in 
the heresy trial of Dr. Cheney, which added 
to his fame. He was appointed chief jus- 
tice of the United States by President Cleve- 
land in 1888, the youngest man who ever 
held that exalted position. His income from 
his practice had for many years reached 
thirty thousand dollars annually. 



CHESTER ALLEN ARTHUR, twenty- 
first president of the United States, was 
born in Franklin county, Vermont, Octo- 
ber 5, 1830. He was educated at Union 
College, Schenectady, New York, from 
which he graduated with honor, and en- 
gaged in teaching school. After two years 
he entered the law office of Judge E. D. 
Culver, of New York, as a student. He was 
admitted to the bar, and formed a partner- 
ship with an old room-mate, Henry D. Gar- 
diner, with the intention of practicing law 
in the west, but after a few months' search 
for a location, they returned to New York 
and opened an office, and at once entered 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 



169 



upon a profitable practice. He was shortly 
afterwards married to a daughter of Lieu- 
tenant Herndon, of the United States navy. 
Mrs. Arthur died shortly before his nomina- 
tion for the vice-presidency. In 1856 a 
colored woman in New York was ejected 
from a street car and retained Mr. Arthur 
in a suit against the company, and obtained 
a verdict of five hundred dollars. It result- 
ed in a general order by all superintendents 
of street railways in the city to admit col- 
ored people to the cars. 

Mr. Arthur was a delegate to the first 
Republican national convention, and was 
appointed judge-advocate for the Second 
Brigade of New York, and then chief engi- 
neer of Governor Morgan's staff. At the 
close of his term he resumed the practice of 
iaw in New York. In 1872 he was made 
collector of the port of New York, which 
position he held four years. At the Chi- 
cago convention in 1880 Mr. Arthur was 
nominated for the vice-presidency with 
Garfield, and after an exciting campaign 
was elected. Four months after the inau- 
guration President Garfield was assassinated, 
and Mr. Arthur was called to take the reins 
of government. His administration of 
affairs was generally satisfactory. At its 
close he resumed the practice of law in New 
York. His death occurred November 18, 
1886. 

ISAAC HULL was one of the most con- 
spicuous and prominent naval officers in 
the early history of America. He was born 
at Derby, Connecticut, March 9, 1775, be- 
mg the son of a Revolutionary officer. Isaac 
Hull early in life became a mariner, and 
when nineteen years of age became master 
of a merchant ship in the London trade. 
In 1 798 he became a lieutenant in the United 

.States navy, and three years later was made 
10 



first lieutenant of the frigate "Constitution." 
He distinguished himself by skill and valor 
against the French on the coast of Hayti, and 
served with distinction in the Barbary expe- 
ditions. July 12, 1812, he sailed from 
Annapolis, in command of the "Constitu- 
tion," and for three days was pursued by a 
British squadron of five ships, from which 
he escaped by bold and ingenious seaman- 
ship. In August of the same year he cap- 
tured the frigate " Guerriere," one of his 
late pursuers and for this, the first naval 
advantage of that war, he received a gold 
medal from congress. Isaac Hull was later 
made naval commissioner and had command 
of various navy yards. His death occurred 
February 13, 1843, at Philadelphia. 



MARCUS ALONZO HANNA, famous 
as a prominent business man, political 
manager and senator, was born in New Lis- 
bon, Columbiana county, Ohio, September 
24, 1837. He removed with his father's 
family to Cleveland, in the same state, in 
1852, and in the latter city, and in the 
Western Reserve College, at Hudson, Ohio, 
received his education. He became an em- 
ploye of the wholesale grocery house of 
Hanna, Garrettson & Co., his father being 
the senior member of the firm. The latter 
died in 1862, and Marcus represented his 
interest until 1867, when the business was 
closed up. 

Our subject then became a member of 
the firm of Rhodes & Co., engaged in the 
iron and coal business, but at the expira- 
tion of ten years this firm was changed to 
that of M. A. Hanna & Co. Mr. Hanna 
was long identified with the lake carrying 
business, being interested in vessels on the 
lakes and in the construction of them. As 
a director of the Globe Ship Manufacturing 
Company, of Cleveland, president of the 



170 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 



Union National Bank, of Cleveland, president 
of the Cleveland City Railway Company, 
and president of the Chapin Mining Com- 
pany, of Lake Superior, he became promi- 
nently identified with the business world. 
He was one of the government directors of 
the Union Pacific Railroad, being appointed 
to that position in 1885 by President Cleve- 
land. 

Mr. Hanna was a delegate to the na- 
tional Republican convention of 1884, which 
was his first appearance in the political 
world. He was a delegate to the con- 
ventions of 1888 and 1896, and was elect- 
ed chairman of the Republican national 
committee the latter year, and practically 
managed the campaign of William McKin- 
ley for the presidency. In 1897 Mr. Hanna 
was appointed senator by Governor Bush- 
nell, of Ohio, to fill the vacancy caused by 
the resignation of John Sherman. 



GEORGE PEABODY was one of the 
best known and esteem.ed of all philan- 
thropists, whose munificent gifts to Ameri- 
can institutions have proven of so much 
benefit to the cause of humanity. He was 
born February 18, 1795, at South Danvers, 
Massachusetts, which is now called Pea- 
body in honor of him. He received but a 
meager education, and during his early life 
he was a mercantile clerk at Thetford, Ver- 
mont, and Newburyport, Massachusetts. In 
1 8 14 he became a partner with Elisha 
Riggs, at Georgetown, District of Columbia, 
and in 1815 they moved to Baltimore, Mary- 
land. The business grew to great propor- 
tions, and they opened branch houses at 
New York and Philadelphia. Mr. Peabody 
made several voyages to Europe of com- 
mercial importance, and in 1829 became the 
head of the firm, which was then called 
Peabody, Riggs & Co., and in 1838 he re- 



moved to London, England. He retired 
from the firm, and established the cele- 
brated banking house, in which he accumu- 
lated a large fortune. He aided Mr. Grin- 
nell in fitting out Dr. Kane's Arctic expedi- 
tion, in 1852, and founded in the same year 
the Peabody Institute, in his native town, 
which he afterwards endowed with two hun- 
dred thousand dollars. Mr. Peabody visited 
the United States in 1857, and gave three 
hundred thousand dollars for the establish- 
ment at Baltimore of an institute of science, 
Hterature and fine arts. In 1862 he gave 
two million five hundred thousand dollars 
for the erecting of lodging houses for the 
poor in London, and on another visit to the 
United States he gave one hundred and fifty 
thousand dollars to establish at Harvard a 
museum and professorship of American 
archaeology and ethnology, an equal sum for 
the endowment of a department of physical 
science at Yale, and gave the "Southern 
Educational Fund " two million one hundred 
thousand dollars, besides devoting two hun- 
dred thousand dollars to various objects of 
public utility. Mr. Peabody made a final 
visit to the United States in 1869, and on 
this occasion he raised the endowment of 
the Baltimore Institute one million dollars, 
created the Peabody Museum, at Salem, 
Massachusetts, with a fund of one hundred 
and fifty thousand dollars, gave sixty thou- 
sand dollars to Washington College, Vir- 
ginia; fifty thousand dollars for a "Peabody 
Museum, " at North Danvers, thirty thousand 
dollars to Phillips Academy, Andover; twen- 
ty-five thousand dollars to Kenyon College, 
Ohio, and twenty thousand dollars to the 
Maryland Historical Society. Mr. Peabody 
also endowed an art school at Rome, in 

1868. He died in London, November 4, 

1869, less then a month after he had re- 
turned from the United States, and his 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 



171 



remains were brought to the United States 
and interred in his native town. He made 
several other bequests in his will, and left 
his family about five million dollars. 



MATTHEW S. QUAY, a celebrated 
public man and senator, was born at 
Dillsburgh, York county, Pennsylvania, 
September 30, 1833, of an old Scotch-Irish 
family, some of whom had settled in the 
Keystone state in 171 5. Matthew received 
a good education, graduating from the Jef- 
ferson College at Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, 
at the age of seventeen. He then traveled, 
taught school, lectured, and studied law 
under Judge Sterrett. He was admitted to 
the bar in 1854, was appointed a prothon- 
otary in 1855 and elected to the same 
office in 1856 and 1859. Later he was 
made lieutenant of the Pennsylvania Re 
serves, lieutenant-colonel and assistant com- 
missary-general of the state, private secre- 
tary of the famous war governor of Pennsyl- 
vania, Andrew G. Curtin, colonel of the 
One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Pennsylva- 
nia Infantry (nine months men), military 
state agent and held other offices at different 
times. 

Mr. Quay was a member of the house of 
representatives of the state of Pennsylvania 
from 1865 to 1868. He filled the office of 
secretary of the commonwealth from 1872 
to 1878, and the position of delegate-at- 
large to the Republican national conventions 
of 1872, 1876, 1880 and 1888. He was the 
editor of the "Beaver Radical" and the 
"Philadelphia Record" for a time, and held 
many offices in the state conventions and on 
their committees. He was elected secre- 
tary of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, 
1869, and served three years, and in 18S5 
was chosen state treasurer. In 1886 his 
great abilities pointed him out as the 



natural candidate for United States senator, 
and he was accordingly elected to that posi- 
tion and re-elected thereto in 1892. He 
was always noted for a genius for organiza- 
tion, and as a political leader had but few 
peers. Cool, serene, far-seeing, resourceful, 
holding his impulses and forces in hand, he 
never quailed from any policy he adopted, 
and carried to success most, if not all, of 
the political campaigns in which he took 
part. 

JAMES K. JONES, a noted senator and 
political leader, attained national fame 
while chairman of the national executive 
committee of the Democratic party in the 
presidential campaign of 1896. He was a 
native of Marshall county, Mississippi, and 
was born September 29, 1839. His father, 
a well-to-do planter, settled in Dallas county, 
Arkansas, in 1848, and there the subject of 
this sketch received a careful education. 
During the Civil war he served as a private 
soldier in the Confederate army. From 
1866 to 1873 he passed a quiet life as a 
planter, but in the latter year was admitted 
to the bar and began the practice of law. 
About the same time he was elected to the 
Arkansas senate and re-elected in 1874. In 
1877 he was made president of the senate 
and the following year was unsuccessful in 
obtaining a nomination as member of con- 
gress. In 1880 he was elected representa- 
tive and his ability at once placed him in a 
foremost position. He was re-elected to 
congress in 1882 and in 1884, and served as 
an influential member on the committee of 
ways and means. March 4, 1885, Mr. Jones 
took his seat in the United States senate to 
succeed James D. Walker, and was after- 
ward re-elected to the same office. In this 
branch of the national legislature his capa- 
bilities had a wider scope, and he was rec- 



172 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 



ognized as one of the ablest leaders of his 
party. 

On the nomination of William J. Bryan 
as its candidate for the presidency by the 
national convention of the Democratic 
party, held in Chicago in 1896, Mr. Jones 
was made chairman of the national com- 
mittee. 

THEODORE THOMAS, one of the most 
celebrated musical directors America 
has known, was born in the kingdom of Han- 
over in 1835, and received his musical educa- 
tion from his father. He was a very apt scholar 
and played the violin at public concerts at 
the age of six years. He came with his 
parents to America in 1845, and joined the 
orchestra of the Italian Opera in New York 
City. He played the first violin in the 
orchestra which accompanied Jenny Lind 
in her first American concert. In 1861 Mr. 
Thomas established the orchestra that be- 
came famous under his management, and 
gave his first symphony concerts in New 
York in 1864. He began his first "summer 
night concerts" in the same city in 1868, 
and in 1869 he started on his first tour of 
the principal cities in the United States, 
which he made every year for many years. 
He was director of the College of Music in 
Cincinnati, Ohio, but resigned in 1880, after 
having held the position for three years. 

Later he organized one of the greatest 
and most successful orchestras ever brought 
together in the city of Chicago, and was 
very prominent in musical affairs during the 
World's Columbian Exposition, thereby add- 
ing greatly to his fame. 



CYRUS HALL McCORMICK, the fa- 
mous inventor and manufacturer, was 
born at Walnut Grove, Virginia, February 
15, 1809. When he was seven years old his 



father invented a reaping machine. It was 
a rude contrivance and not successful. In 
1 83 1 Cyrus made his invention of a reaping 
machine, and had it patented three years 
later. By successive improvements he was 
able to keep his machines at the head of 
its class during his life. In 1 845 he removed 
to Cincinnati, Ohio, and two years later 
located in Chicago, where he amassed a 
great fortune in manufacturing reapers and 
harvesting machinery. In 1859 he estab- 
lished the Theological Seminary of the 
Northwest at Chicago, an institution for pre- 
paring young men for the ministry in the 
Presbyterian church, and he afterward en- 
dowed a chair in the Washington and Lee 
College at Lexington, Virginia. He mani- 
fested great interest in educational and re- 
ligious matters, and by his great wealth he 
was able to extend aid and encouragement 
to many charitable causes. His death oc- 
curred ^tay 13, 1884. • 



DAVID ROSS LOCKE.— Under the 
pen name of Petroleum V. Nasby, this 
well-known humorist and writer made for 
himself a household reputation, and estab- 
lished a school that has many imitators. 

The subject of this article was born at 
Vestal, Broome county, New York, Sep- 
tember 30, 1833. After receiving his edu- 
cation in the county of his birth he en- 
tered the office of the " Democrat," at Cort- 
land, New York, where he learned the 
printer's trade. He was successively editor 
and publisher of the ' 'Plymouth Advertiser, " 
the "Mansfield Herald," the " Bucyrus 
Journal," and the "Findlay Jeffersonian." 
Later he became editor of the "Toledo 
Blade." In i860 he commenced his 
" Nasby" articles, several series of which, 
have been given the world in book form. 
Under a mask of misspelling, and in a quaint 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 



173 



and humorous style, a keen political satire 
is couched — a most effective weapon. 
Mr. Locke was the author of a num- 
ber of serious political pamphlets, and 
later on a more pretentious work, " The 
Morals of Abou Ben Adhem." As a news- 
paper writer he gained many laurels and his 
works are widely read. Abraham Lincoln 
is said to have been a warm admirer of P. 
V. Nasby, of " Confedrit X Roads" fame. 
Mr. Locke died at Toledo, Ohio, February 
15, 1888. 

RUSSELL A. ALGER, noted as a sol- 
dier, governor and secretary of war, 
was born in Medina county, Ohio, February 
27, 1836, and was the son of Russell and 
Caroline (Moulton) Alger. At the age of 
twelve years he was left an orphan and pen- 
niless. For about a year he worked for 
his board and clothing, and attended school 
part of the time. In 1850 he found a place 
which paid small wages, and out of his 
scanty earnings helped his brother and sister. 
While there working on a farm he found 
time to attend the Richfield Academy, and 
by hard work between times managed to get 
a fair education for that time. The last 
two years of his attendance at this institu- 
tion of learning he taught school during the 
winter months. In 1857 he commenced the 
study of law, and was admitted to the bar 
in 1859. For a while he found employ- 
ment in Cleveland, Ohio, but impaired 
health induced him to remove to Grand 
Rapids, where he engaged in the lumber 
business. He was thus engaged when the 
Civil war broke out, and, his business suf- 
fering and his savings swept away, he en- 
listed as a private in the Second Michigan 
Cavalry. He was promoted to be captain 
the following month, and major for gallant 
conduct at Boonesville, Mississippi, July i, 



1862. October 16, 1862, he was made 
lieutenant-colonel of the Sixth Michigan 
Cavalry, and in February, 1863, colonel of 
the Fifth Michigan Cavalry. He rendered 
excellent service in the Gettysburg cam- 
paign. He was wounded at Boonesboro, 
Maryland, and on returning to his command 
took part with Sherman in the campaign in 
the Shenandoah Valley. For services ren- 
dered, that famous soldier recommended 
him for promotion, and he was brevetted 
major-general of volunteers. In 1866 Gen- 
eral Alger took up his residence at Detroit, 
and prospered exceedingly in his business, 
which was that of lumbering, and grew 
quite wealthy. In 1884 he was a delegate 
to the Republican national convention, and 
the same year was elected governor of 
Michigan. He declined a nomination for 
re-election to the latter office, in 1887, and 
was the following year a candidate for the 
nomination for president. In 1889 he was 
elected commander-in-chief of the Grand 
Army of the Republic, and at different 
times occupied many offices in other or- 
ganizations. 

In March, 1897, President McKinley 
appointed General Alger secretary of war. 



CYRUS WEST FIELD, the father of 
submarine telegraphy, was the son of 
the Rev. David D. Field, D.D., a Congre- 
gational minister, and was born at Stock- 
bridge, Massachusetts, November 30, 18 19. 
He was educated in his native town, and at 
the age of fifteen years became a clerk in a 
store in New York City. Being gifted with 
excellent business ability Mr. Field pros- 
pered and became the head of a large mer- 
cantile house. In 1853 he spent about six 
months in travel in South America. On his 
return he became interested in ocean teleg- 
raphy. Being solicited to aid in the coii- 



174 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 



struction of a land telegraph across New 
Foundland to receive the news from a line 
of fast steamers it was proposed to run from 
from Ireland to St. Johns, the idea struck 
him to carry the line across the broad At- 
lantic. In 1850 Mr. Field obtained a con- 
cession from the legislature of Newfound- 
land, giving him the sole right for fifty years 
to land submarine cables on the shores of 
that island. In company with Peter Cooper, 
Moses Taylor, Marshall O. Roberts and 
Chandler White, he organized a company 
under the name of the New York, New- 
foundland & London Telegraph Company. 
In two years the line from New York across 
Newfoundland was built. The first cable 
connecting Cape Breton Island with New- 
foundland having been lost in a storm while 
being laid in 1855, another was put down in 
1856. In the latter year Mr. Field went to 
London and organized the Atlantic Tele- 
graph Company, furnishing one-fourth of the 
capital himself. Both governments loaned 
ships to carry out the enterprise. Mr. Field 
accompanied the expeditions of 1857 and 
two in 1858. The first and second cables 
were failures, and the third worked but a 
short time and then ceased. The people of 
both continents became incredulous of the 
feasibility of laying a successful cable under 
so wide an expanse of sea, and the war 
breaking out shortly after, nothing was done 
until 1865-66. Mr. Field, in the former 
year, again made the attempt, and the Great 
Eastern laid some one thousand two hun- 
dred miles when the cable parted and was 
lost. The following year the same vessel 
succeeded in laying the entire cable, and 
picked up the one lost the year before, and 
both were carried to America's shore. After 
thirteen years of care and toil Mr. Field had 
his reward. He was the recipient of many 
medals and honors from both home and 



abroad. He gave his attention after this 
to establishing telegraphic communication 
throughout the world and many other large 
enterprises, notably the construction of ele- 
vated railroads in New York. Mr. Field 
died July 1 1, 1892. 



G ROVER CLEVELAND, the twenty- 
second president of the United States, 
was born in Caldwell, Essex county, New 
Jersey, March 18, 1837, and was the son 
of Rev. Richard and Annie (Neale) Cleve- 
land. The father, of distinguished New 
England ancestry, was a Presbyterian min- 
ister in charge of the church at Caldwell at 
the time. 

When Grover was about three years of 
age the family removed to Fayetteville, 
Onondaga county. New York, where he 
attended the district school, and was in the 
academy for a short time. His father be- 
lieving that boys should early learn to labor, 
Grover entered a village store and worked 
for the sum of fifty dollars for the first year. 
While he was thus engaged the family re- 
moved to Clinton, New York, and there 
young Cleveland took up h's studies at the 
academy. The death of his father dashed 
all his hopes of a collegiate education, the 
family being left in straightened circum- 
stances, and Grover started out to battle 
for himself. After acting for a year (1853- 
54) as assistant teacher and bookkeeper in 
the Institution for the Blind at New York 
City, he went to Buffalo. A short time 
after he entered the law office of Rogers, 
Bowen & Rogers, of that city, and after a 
hard struggle with adverse circumstances, 
was admitted to the bar in 1859. He be- 
came confidential and managing clerk for 
the firm under whom he had studied, and 
remained with them until 1863. In the lat- 
ter year he was appointed district attorney 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 



175 



of Erie county. It was during his incum- 
bency of this office that, on being nominated 
by the Democrats for supervisor, he came 
within thirteen votes of election, although 
the district was usually Republican by two 
hundred and fifty majority. In i866Grover 
Cleveland formed a partnership with Isaac 
V. Vanderpoel. The most of the work here 
fell upon the shoulders of our subject, and 
he soon won a good standing at the bar of 
the state. In 1869 Mr. Cleveland associated 
himself in business with A. P. Laning and 
Oscar Folsom, and under the firm name of 
Laning, Cleveland & Folsom soon built up a 
fair practice. In the fall of 1870 Mr. Cleve- 
land was elected sheriff of Erie county, an 
office which he filled for four years, after 
which he resumed his profession, with L. K. 
Bass and Wilson S. Bissell as partners. 
This firm was strong and popular and 
shortly was in possession of a lucrative 
practice. Mr. Bass retired from the firm 
in 1879, and George J. Secard was admit- 
ted a member in 18S1. In the latter year 
Mr. Cleveland was elected mayor of Buffalo, 
and in 1882 he was chosen governor by 
the enormous majority of one hundred and 
ninety-two thousand votes. July 11, 1884, 
he was nominated for the presidency by the 
Democratic national convention, and in 
November following was elected. 

Mr. Cleveland, after serving one term as 
president of the United States, in 1888 was 
nominated by his party to succeed himself, 
but he failed of the election, being beaten 
by Benjamin Harrison. In 1892, however, 
being nominated again in opposition to the 
then incumbent of the presidency, Mr. Har- 
rison, Grover Cleveland was elected pres- 
ident for the second time and served for the 
usual term of four years. In 1897 Mr. 
Cleveland retired from the chair of the first 
magistrate of the nation, and in New York 



City resumed the practice of law, in which 
city he had established himself in 1889. 

June 2, 1886, Grover Cleveland was 
united in marriage with Miss Frances Fol- 
som, the daughter of his former partner. 



ALEXANDER WINCHELL, for many 
years one of the greatest of American 
scientists, and one of the most noted and 
prolific writers on scientific subjects, was 
born in Duchess county. New York, Decem- 
ber 31, 1824. He received a thorough col- 
legiate education, and graduated at the 
Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connect- 
icut, in 1847. His mind took a scientific 
turn, which manifested itself while he was 
yet a boy, and in 1848 he became teacher 
of natural sciences at the Armenian Semi- 
nary, in his native state, a position which 
he filled for three years. In 185 1-3 he oc- 
cupied the same position in the Mesopo- 
tamia Female Seminary, in Alabama, after 
which he was president of the Masonic Fe- 
male Seminary, in Alabama. In 1853 he 
became connected with the University of 
Michigan, at Ann Arbor, at which institu- 
tion he performed the most important work 
of his life, and gained a wide reputation as 
a scientist. He held many important posi- 
tions, among which were the following: 
Professor of physics and civil engineering at 
the University of Michigan, also of geology, 
zoology and botany, and later professor of 
geology and palaeontology at the same insti- 
tution. He also, for a time, was president 
of the Michigan Teachers' Association, and 
state geologist of Michigan. Professor 
Winchell was a very prolific writer on scien- 
tific subjects, and published many standard 
works, his most important and widely known 
being those devoted to geology. He also 
contributed a large number of articles tc- 
scientific and popular journals, 



176 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 



ANDREW HULL FOOTE, of the 
United States navy, was a native of 
New England, born at New Haven, Con- 
necticut, May 4, 1808. He entered the 
navy, as a midshipman, December 4, 1822. 
He slowly rose in his chosen profession, at- 
taining the rank of lieutenant in 1830, com- 
mander in 1852 and captain in 1861. 
Among the distinguished men in the break- 
ing out of the Civil war, but few stood higher 
in the estimation of his brother of^cers than 
Foote, and when, in the fall of 1861, he 
was appointed to the command of the flotilla 
then building on the Mississippi, the act 
gave great satisfaction to the service. 
Although embarrassed by want of navy 
yards and supplies, Foote threw himself into 
his new work with unusual energy. He 
overcame all obstacles and in the new, and, 
until that time, untried experiment, of creat- 
ing and maintaining a navy on a river, 
achieved a success beyond the expectations 
of the country. Great incredulity existed as 
to the possibility of carrying on hostilities 
on a river where batteries from the shore 
might bar the passage. But in spite of all, 
Foote soon had a navy on the great river, 
and by the heroic qualities of the crews en- 
trusted to him, demonstrated the utility of 
this new departure in naval architecture. 
All being prepared, February 6, 1862, Foote 
took Fort Henry after a hotly-contested 
action. On the 14th of the same month, 
for an hour and a half engaged the batteries 
of Fort Donelson, with four ironclads and 
two wooden gunboats, thereby dishearten- 
ing the garrison and assisting in its capture. 
April 7th of the same year, after several 
hotly-contested actions. Commodore Foote 
received the surrender of Island No. 10, one 
of the great strongholds of the Confederacy 
on the Mississippi river. Foote having been 
wounded at Fort Donelson, and by neglect 



it having become so serious as to endanger 
his life, he was forced to resign his command 
and return home. June 16, 1862, he re- 
ceived the thanks of congress and was pro- 
moted to the rank of rear admiral. He was 
appointed chief of the bureau of equipment 
and recruiting. June 4, 1863, he was 
ordered to the fleet off Charleston, to super- 
cede Rear Admiral Dupont, but on his way 
to that destination was taken sick at New 
York, and died June 26, 1863. 



NELSON A.MILES, the well-known sol- 
dier, was born at Westminster, Massa- 
chusetts, August 8,1839. His ancestors set- 
tled in that state in 1643 among the early 
pioneers, and their descendants were, many 
of them, to be found among those battling 
against Great Britain during Revolutionary 
times and during the war of 1812. Nelson 
was reared on a farm, received an academic 
education, and in early manhood engaged in 
mercantile pursuits in Boston. Early in 

1 86 1 he raised a company and offered hi? 
services to the government, and although 
commissioned as captain, on account of his 
youth went out as first lieutenant in the 
Twenty-second Massachusetts Infantry. In 

1862 he was commissioned lieutenant-colonel 
and colonel of the Sixty-first New York In- 
fantry. At the request of Generals Grant 
and Meade he was made a brigadier by 
President Lincoln. He participated in all 
but one of the battles of the Army of the 
Potomac until the close of the war. During 
the latter part of the time he commanded 
the first division of the Second Corps. 
General Miles was wounded at the battles 
of Fair Oaks, Fredericksburg and Chan- 
cellorsville, and received four brevets for 
distinguished service. During the recon- 
struction period he commanded in North 
Carolina, and on the reorganization of the 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 



177 



regular army he was made colonel of in- 
fantry. In 1880 he was promoted to the 
rank of brigadier-general, and in 1890 to 
that of major-general. He successfully con- 
ducted several campaigns among the In- 
dians, and his name is known among the 
tribes as a friend when they are peacefully 
inclined. He many times averted war 
with the red men by judicious and humane 
settlement of difficulties without the military 
power. In 1892 General Miles was given 
command of the proceedings in dedicating 
the World's Fair at Chicago, and in the 
summer of 1894, during the great railroad 
strike at the same city. General Miles, then 
in command of the department, had the 
disposal of the troops sent to protect the 
United States mails. On the retirement of 
General J. M. Schofield, in 1895, General 
Miles became the ranking major-general of 
the United States army and the head of its 
forces. 

JUNIUS BRUTUS BOOTH, the great 
»J actor, though born in London (1796), is 
more intimately connected with the Amer- 
ican than with the English stage, and his 
popularity in America was almost . un- 
bounded, while in England he was not a 
prime favorite. He presented " Richard III. " 
in Richmond on his first appearance on the 
American stage in 1821. This was his 
greatest role, and in it he has never had an 
equal. In October of the same year he 
appeared in New York. After a long and 
successful career he gave his final perform- 
ance at New Orleans in 1852. He con- 
tracted a severe cold, and for lack of proper 
medical attention, it resulted in his death 
on NoYcmber 30th of that year. He was, 
without question, one of the greatest tra- 
gedians that ever lived. In addition to his 
professional art and genius, he was skilled 



in languages, drawing, painting and sculp- 
ture. In his private life he was reserved, 
and even eccentric. Strange stories are 
related of his peculiarities, and on his farm 
near Baltimore he forbade the use of animal 
food, the taking of animal life, and even the 
felling of trees, and brought his butter and 
eggs to the Baltimore markets in person. 

Junius Brutus Booth, known as the elder 
Booth, gave to the world three sons of note: 
Junius Brutus Booth, Jr., the husband of 
Agnes Booth, the actress; John Wilkes 
Booth, the author of the greatest tragedy 
in the life of our nation; Edwin Booth, in 
his day the greatest actor of America, if not 
of the world. 

JAMES MONTGOMERY BAILEY, fa- 
mous as the "Danbury News Man," 
was one of the best known American humor- 
ists, and was born September 25, 1841, at 
Albany, N. Y. He adopted journalism as a 
profession and started in his chosen work on 
the "Danbury Times," which paper he pur- 
chased on his return from the war. Mr. 
Bailey also purchased the "Jeffersonian," 
another paper of Danbury, and consolidated 
them, forming the "Danbury News," which 
paper soon acquired a celebrity throughout 
the United States, from an incessant flow of 
rich, healthy, and original humor, which the 
pen of the editor imparted to its columns, 
and he succeeded in raising the circulation 
of the paper from a few hundred copies a 
week to over forty thousand. The facilities 
of a country printing office were not so com- 
plete in those days as they are now, but Mr. 
Bailey was resourceful, and he put on re- 
lays of help and ran his presses night and 
day, and always prepared his matter a week 
ahead of time. The "Danbury News Man" 
was a new figure in literature, as his humor 
was so different from that of the newspaper 



178 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 



wits — who had preceded him, and he maybe 
called the pioneer of that school now so 
familiar. Mr. Bailey published in book 
form "Life in Danbury" and "The Danbury 
News -Man's Almanac." One of his most 
admirable traits was philanthrophy, as he 
gave with unstinted generosity to all comers, 
and died comparatively poor, notwithstand- 
ing his ownership of a very profitable busi- 
ness which netted him an income of $40,000 
a year. He died March 4, 1894. 



mi 



ATTHEW HALE CARPENTER, a 
mous lawyer, orator and senator, 
was born in Moretown, Vermont, December 
22, 1824. After receiving a common-school 
education he entered the United States 
Military Academy at West Point, but only 
remained two years. On returning to his 
home he commenced the study of law with 
Paul Dillingham, afterwards governor of 
Vermont, and whose daughter he married. 
In 1847 he was admitted to practice at the 
bar in Vermont, but he went to Boston and 
for a time studied with Ruf us Choate. In 1 848 
he moved west, settling at Beloit, Wisconsin, 
and commencing the practice of his profes- 
sion soon obtained a wide reputation for 
ability. In 1856 Mr. Carpenter removed to 
Milwaukee, where he found a wider field for 
his now increasing powers. During the 
Civil war, although a strong Democrat, he 
was loyal to the government and aided the 
Union cause to his utmost. In 1868 he 
was counsel for the government in a test 
case to settle the legality of the reconstruc- 
tion act before the United States supreme 
court, and won his case against Jeremiah S. 
Black. This gave him the election for sen- 
ator from Wisconsin in 1869, and he served 
until 1875, during part of which time he was 
president /;-tf /fw/o/'d' of the senate. Failing 
of a re-election Mr. Carpenter resumed the 



practice of law, and when William W. 
Belknap, late secretary of war, was im- 
peached, entered the case for General 
Belknap, and secured an acquittal. During 
the sitting of the electoral commission of 
1877, Mr. Carpenter appeared for Samuel 
J. Tilden, although the Republican man- 
agers had intended to have him represent 
R. B. Hayes. Mr. Carpenter was elected 
to the United States senate again in 1879, 
and remained a member of that body until 
the day of his death, which occurred at 
Washington, District of Columbia, Feb- 
ruary 24, 1 88 1. 

Senator Carpenter's real name was De- 
catur Merritt Hammond Carpenter but about 
1852 he changed it to the one by which he 
was universally known. 



THOMAS E. W.ATSON, lawyer and 
congressman, the well-known Geor- 
gian, whose name appears at the head of 
this sketch, made himself a place in the his- 
tory of our country by his ability, energy 
and fervid oratory. He was born in Col- 
umbia (now McDuffie) county, Georgia, 
September 5, 1856. He had a common- 
school education, and in 1872 entered Mer- 
cer University, at Macon, Georgia, as fresh- 
man, but for want of money left the college 
at the end of his sophomore year. He 
taught school, studying law at the same 
time, until 1875, when he was admitted to 
the bar. He opened an office and com- 
menced practice in Thomson, Georgia, in 
November, 1876. He carried on a success- 
ful business, and bought land and farmed on 
an extensive scale. 

Mr. Watson was a delegate to the Demo- 
cratic state convention of 1880, and was a 
member of the house of representatives of 
the legislature of his native state in 1882. 
In 1888 he was an elector-at-large on the 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 



179 



Cleveland ticket, and in \ 890 was elected 
to represent his district in the fifty-second 
congress. This latter election is said to have 
been due entirely to Mr. Watson's "dash- 
ing display of ability, eloquence and popular 
power." In his later years he championed 
the alliance principles and policies until he 
became a leader in the movement. In the 
heated campaign of 1896, Mr. Watson was 
nominated as the candidate for vice-presi- 
dent on the Bryan ticket by that part of the 
People's party that would not endorse the 
nominee for the same position made by the 
Democratic party. 



FREDERICK A. P. BARNARD, mathe- 
matician, physicist and educator, was 
born in Sheffield, Massachusetts, May 5, 1809. 
He graduated from Yale College in 1828, and 
in 1830 became a tutor in the same. From 
1837 to 1848 he was professor of mathe- 
matics and natural philosophy in the Uni- 
versity of Alabama, and from 1848 to 1850, 
professor of chemistry and natural history 
in the same educational institution. In 
1854 he became connected with the Univer- 
sity of Mississippi, of which he became 
president in 1856, and chancellor in 1858. 
In 1854 he took orders in the Protestant 
Episcopal church. In 1861 Professor Barnard 
resigned his chancellorship and chair in the 
university, and in 1863 and 1864 was con- 
nected with the United States coast survey 
in charge of chart printing and lithography. 
In May, 1864, he was elected president of 
Columbia College, New York City, which 
he served for a number of years. 

Professor Barnard received the honorary 
degree of LL. D. from Jefferson College, 
Mississippi, in 1855, and from Yale College 
in 1859; also the degree of S. T. D. from 
the University of Mississippi in i86r, and 
that of L. H. D. from the regents of the 



University of the State of New York in 1872. 
In i860 he was a member of the eclipse 
party sent by the United States coast sur- 
vey to Labrador, and during his absence 
was elected president of the American Asso- 
ciation for the Advancement of Science. In 
the act of congress establishing the National 
Academy of Sciences in 1863, he was named 
as one of the original corporators. In 1867 
he was one of the United States commis- 
sioners to "the Paris Exposition. He was 
a member of the American Philosophical 
Society, associate member of the Amer- 
ican Academy of Arts and Sciences, and 
many other philosophical and scientific 
societies at home and abroad. Dr. Barnard 
was thoroughly identified with the progress 
of the age in those branches. His published 
works relate whjlly to scientific or educa- 
tional subjects, chief among which are the 
following: Report on Collegiate Education; 
Art Culture; History of the American Coast 
Survey; University Education; Undulatory 
Theory of Light; Machinery and Processes 
of the Industrial Arts, and Apparatus of the 
Exact Sciences, Metric System of Weights 
and Measures, etc. 



EDWIN McMASTERS STANTON, the 
secretary of war during the great Civil 
war, was recognized as one of America's 
foremost public men. He was born Decem- 
ber 19, 1 8 14, at Steubenville, Ohio, where 
he received his education and studied law. 
He was admitted to the bar in 1836, and 
was reporter of the supreme court of Ohio 
from 1842 until 1845. He removed to 
Washington in 1856 to attend to his prac- 
tice before the United States supreme 
court, and in 1858 he went to California as 
counsel for the government in certain land 
cases, which he carried to a successful 
conclusion. Mr. Stanton was appointed 



180 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 



attorney-general of the United States in 
December, i860, by President Buchanan. 
On March 4, 1861, Mr. Stanton went with 
the outgoing administration and returned to 
the practice of his profession. He was 
appointed secretary of war by President 
Lincoln January 20, 1862, to succeed Simon 
Cameron. After the assassination of Presi- 
dent Lincoln and the accession of Johnson 
to the presidency, Mr. Stanton was still in 
the same office. He held it for three years, 
and by his strict adherence to the Repub- 
lican party, he antagonized President John- 
son, who endeavored to remove him. On 
August 5, 1867, the president requested him 
to resign, and appointed General Grant to 
succeed him, but when congress convened 
in December the senate refused to concur in 
the suspension. Mr. Stanton returned to 
his post until the president again removed 
him from office, "^but was again foiled by 
congress. Soon after, however, he retired 
voluntarily from office and took up the 
practice of law, in which he engaged until 
his death, on December 24, 1869. 



ALEXANDER CAMPBELL, the eminent 
theologian and founder of the church 
known as Disciples of Christ, was born in 
the country of Antrim, Ireland, in June, 
1788, and was the son of Rev. Thomas 
Campbell, a Scoth-Irish "Seceder. " After 
studying at the University of Glasgow, he, 
in company with his father, came to America 
in 1808, and both began labor in western 
Pennsylvania to restore Christianity to 
apostolic simplicity. They organized a 
church at Brush Run, Washington county, 
Pennsylvania, in 181 1, which, however, the 
year following, adopted Baptist views, and 
in 181 3, with other congregations joined a 
Baptist association. Some of the under- 
lying principles and many practices of the 



Campbells and their disciples were repug- 
nant to the Baptist church and considerable 
friction was the result, and 1827 saw the 
separation of that church from the Church 
of Christ, as it is sometimes called. The 
latter then reorganized themselves anew. 
They reject all creeds, professing to receive 
the Bible as their only guide. In most mat- 
ters of faith they are essentially in accord with 
the other Evangelical Christian churches, 
especially in regard to the person and work 
of Christ, the resurrection and judgment. 
They celebrate the Lord's Supper weekly, 
hold that repentance and faith should precede 
baptism, attaching much importance to the 
latter ordinance. On all other points they 
encourage individual liberty of thought. In 
1 84 1, Ale.xander Campbell founded Bethany 
College, West Virginia, of which he was 
president for many years, and died March 4, 
1866. 

The denomination which they founded 
is quite a large and important church body 
in the United States. They support quite 
a number of institutions of learning, among 
which are: Bethany College, West Virginia; 
Hiram College, Hiram, Ohio; Northwestern 
Christian University, Indianapolis, Indiana; 
Eureka College, Illinois; Kentucky Univer- 
sity, Lexington, Kentucky; Oskaloosa 
College, Iowa; and a number of seminaries 
and schools. They also support several 
monthly and quarterly religious periodicals 
and many papers, both in the United States 
and Great Britain and her dependencies. 



WILLIAM L.WILSON, the noted West 
Virginian, who was postmaster-gener- 
al under President Cleveland's second ad- 
ministration, won distinction as the father 
of the famous " Wilson bill," which became 
a law under the same administration. Mr. 
Wilson was born May 3, 1843, i" Jeffer- 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 



181 



son county. West Virginia, and received 
a good education at the Charlestown 
Academy, where he prepared himself for 
college. He attended the Columbian Col- 
lege in the District of Columbia, from 
which he graduated in i860, and then 
attended the University of Virginia. Mr. 
Wilson served in the Confederate army dur- 
ing the war, after which he was a professor 
in Columbian College. Later he entered 
into the practice of law at Charlestown. 
He attended the Democratic convention 
held at Cincinnati in 1880, as a delegate, 
and later was chosen as one of the electors 
for the state-at-large on the Hancock 
ticket. In the Democratic convention at 
Chicago in 1892, Mr. Wilson was its per- 
manent president. He was elected pres- 
ident of the West Virginia University in 
1882, entering upon the duties of his office 
on September 6, but having received the 
nomination for the forty-seventh congress 
on the Democratic ticket, he resigned the 
presidency of the university in June, 1883, 
to take his seat in congress. Mr. Wil- 
son was honored by the Columbian Uni- 
versity and the Hampden-Sidney College, 
both of which conferred upon him the de- 
gree of LL. D. In 1884 he was appointed 
regent of the Smithsonian Institution at 
Washington for two years, and at the end 
of his term was re-appointed. He was 
elected to the forty-seventh, forty-ninth, 
fiftieth, fifty-first, fifty-second and fifty- 
third congresses, but was defeated for re- 
election to the fifty-fourth congress. Upon 
the resignation of Mr. Bissell from the office 
of postmaster-general, Mr. Wilson was ap- 
pointed to fill the vacancy by President 
Cleveland. His many years of public serv- 
ice and the prominent part he took in the 
discussion of public questions gave him a 
national reputation. 



CALVIN S. BRICE, a successful and 
noted financier and politician, was 
born at Denmark, Ohio, September 17, 
1845, of an old Maryland family, who trace 
their lineage from the Bryces, or Bruces, of 
Airth, Scotland. The father of our subject 
was a prominent Presbyterian clergyman, 
who removed to Ohio in 1812. Calvin S. 
Brice was educated in the common schools 
of his native town, and at the age of thir- 
teen entered the preparatory department of 
Miami University at O.xford, Ohio, and the 
following year entered the freshman class. 
On the breaking out of the Civil war, 
although but fifteen years old, he enlisted in 
a company of three-months men. He re- 
turned to complete his college course, but 
re-enlisted in Company. A, Eighty-sixth 
Ohio Infantry, and served in the Virginia 
campaign. He then returned to college, 
from which he graduated in 1863. In 1864 
he organized Company E, One Hundred 
and Eightieth Ohio Infantry, and served 
until the close of hostilities, in the western 
armies. 

On his return home Mr. Brice entered 
the law department of the University of 
Michigan, and in 1866 was admitted to the 
bar in Cincinnati. In the winter of 1870- 
71 he went to Europe in the interests of the 
Lake Erie & Louisville Railroad and pro- 
cured a foreign loan. This road became 
the Lake Erie & Western, of which, in 
1887, Mr. Brice became president. This 
was the first railroad in which he had a 
personal interest. The conception, build- 
ing and sale of the New York, Chicago .& 
St. Louis Railroad, known as the "Nickel 
Plate," was largely due to him. He was 
connected with many other railroads, among 
which may be mentioned the following: 
Chicago & Atlantic; Ohio Central; Rich- 
mond & Danville; Richmond & West Point 



182 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHr 



Terminal; East Tennessee, Virginia & 
Georgia; Memphis & Charleston; Mobile & 
Birmingham; Kentucky Central; Duluth, 
South Shore & Atlantic, and the Marquette, 
Houghton & Ontonagon. In 1890 he was 
elected United States senator from Ohio. 
Notwithstanding his extensive lousiness inter- 
ests, Senator Brice gave a considerable 
time to political matters, becoming one of 
the leaders of the Democratic party and one 
of the most widely known men in the 
country. 

BENJAMIN HARRISON, twenty-third 
president of the United States, was 
born August 20, 1833, at North Bend, 
Hamilton county, Ohio, in the house of his 
grandfather. General William Henry Har- 
rison, afterwards president of the United 
States. His great-grandfather, Benjamin 
Harrison, was a member of the Continental 
congress, signed the Declaration of Inde- 
pendence, and was three times elected gov- 
ernor of Virginia. 

The subject of this sketch entered Farm- 
ers College at an early age, and two years 
later entered Miami University, at Oxford, 
Ohio. Upon graduation he entered the 
office of Stover & Gwyne, of Cincinnati, as a 
law student. He was admitted to the bar 
tvvfo years later, and having inherited about 
eight hundred dollars worth of property, he 
married the daughter of Doctor Scott, pres- 
ident of a female school at Oxford, Ohio, 
and selected Indianapolis, Indiana, to begin 
practice. In i860 he was nominated by 
the Republicans as candidate for state 
supreme court reporter, and did his first 
political speaking in that campaign. He 
was elected, and after two years in that 
position he organized the Seventieth Indi- 
ana Infantry, of which he was made colonel, 
and with his regiment joined General Sher- 



man's army. For bravery displayed at Re- 
saca and Peach Tree Creek he was made a 
brigadier-general. In the meantime the 
office of supreme court reporter had been 
declared vacant, and another party elected 
to fill it. In the fall of 1864, having been 
nominated for that office. General Harrison 
obtained a thirty-day leave of absence, went 
to Indiana, canvassed the state and was 
elected. As he was about to rejoin his 
command he was stricken down by an attack 
of fever. After his recovery he joined 
General Sherman's army and participated in 
the closing events of the war. 

In 1868 General Harrison declined to 
be a candidate for the office of supreme 
court reporter, and returned to the practice 
of the law. His brilliant campaign for the 
office of governor of Indiana in 1876, 
brought him_ into public notice, although he 
was defeated. He took a prominent part 
in the presidential canvass of 1880, and was 
chosen United States senator from Indiana, 
serving six years. He then returned to the 
practice of his profession. In 1888 he was 
selected by the Republican convention at 
Chicago as candidate for the presidency, and 
after a heated campaign was elected over 
Cleveland. He was inaugurated March 4, 
1889, and signed the McKinley bill October 
I, 1890, perhaps the most distinctive feature 
of his administration. In 1892 he was 
again the nominee of the Republican party 
for president, but was defeated by Grover 
Cleveland, the Democratic candidate, and 
again resumed the practice of law in Indian- 
apolis. 

JOHN CRAIG HAVEMEYER, the 
<J celebrated merchant and sugar refiner, 
was born in New York City in 1833. His 
father, William F. Havemeyer, and grand- 
father, William Havemeyer, were both sugar 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 



183 



refiners. The latter named came from 
Buckeburg, Germany, in 1799, and settled 
in New York, establishing one of the first 
refineries in that city. William F. succeeded 
his father, and at an early age retired from 
business with a competency. He was three 
times mayor of his native city, New York. 
John C. Havemeyer was educated in 
private schools, and was prepared for college 
at Columbia College grammar school. 
Owing to failing eyesight he was unable to 
finish his college course, and began his 
business career in a wholesale grocery store, 
where he remained two years. In 1854, 
after a year's travel abroad, he assumed the 
responsibility of the office work in the sugar 
refinery of Havemeyer & Molter, but two 
years later etablished a refinery of his own 
in Brooklyn. This afterwards developed into 
the immense business of Havemeyer & Elder. 
The capital was furnished by his father, 
and, chafing under the anxiety caused by the 
use of borrowed money, he sold out his 
interest and returned to Havemeyer & 
Molter. This firm dissolving the n^xt year, 
John C. declined an offer of partnership 
from the successors, not wishing to use 
borrowed money. For two years he remain- 
ed with the house, receiving a share of the 
profits as compensation. For some years 
thereafter he was engaged in the commission 
business, until failing health caused his 
retirement. In 1871, he again engaged in 
the sugar refining business at Greenport, 
Long Island, with his brother and another 
partner, under the firm name of Havemeyer 
Brothers & Co. Here he remained until 
1880, when his health again declined. 
During the greater part of his life Mr. 
Havemeyer was identified with many benev- 
olent societies, including the New York 
Port Society, Missionary Society of the 
Methodist Church, American Bible Society, 



New York Sabbath School Society and 
others. He was active in Young Men's 
Christian Association work in New York. ' 
and organized and was the first president of 
an affiliated society of the same at Yonkers. 
He was director of several railroad corpo- 
rations and a trustee of the Continental Trust 
Company of New York. 



WALTER QUINTIN GRESHAM, an 
eminent American statesman and 
jurist, was born March 17, 1833, near Cory- 
don, Harrison county, Indiana. He ac- 
quired his education in the local schools of 
the county and at Bloomington Academy, 
although he did not graduate. After leav- 
ing college he read law with Judg-e Porter 
at Corydon, and just before the war he be- 
gan to take an interest in politics. Mr. 
Gresham was elected to the legislature from 
Harrison county as a Republican; previous 
to this the district had been represented by 
a Democrat. At the commencement of 
hostilities he was made lieutenant-colonel of 
the Thirty-eighth Indiana Infantry, but 
served in that regiment only a short time, 
when he was appointed colonel of the Fifty- 
third Indiana, and served under General 
Grant at the siege of Vicksburg as brigadier- 
general. Later he was under Sherman in 
the famous "March to the Sea," and com- 
manded a division of Blair's corps at the 
siege of Atlanta where he was so badly 
wounded in the leg that he was compelled 
to return home. On his way home he was 
forced to stop at New Albany, where he re- 
mained a year before he was able to leave. 
Pie was brevetted major-general at the close 
of the war. While at New Albany, Mr. 
Gresham was appointed state agent, his 
duty being to pay the interest on the state 
debt in New York, and he ran twice for 
congress against ex-Speaker Kerr, but was 



184 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 



defeated in both cases, although he greatly 
reduced the Democratic majority. He was 
held in high esteem by President Grant, 
who offered him the portfolio of the interior 
but Mr. Gresham declined, but accepted 
the appointment of United States judge for 
Indiana to succeed David McDonald. 
Judge Gresham served on the United States 
district court bench until 1883, when he 
was appointed postmaster-general by Presi- 
dent Arthur, but held that office only a few 
months when he was made secretary of the 
treasury. Near the end of President 
Arthur's term. Judge Gresham was ap- 
pointed judge of the United States circuit 
court of the district composed of Indiana, 
Illinois and contiguous states, which he held 
until 1893. Judge Gresham was one of the 
presidential possibilities in the National Re- 
publican convention in 1888, when General 
Harrison was nominated, and was also men- 
tioned for president in 1892. Later the 
People's party made a strenuous effort to 
induce him to become their candidate for 
president, he refusing the offer, however, 
and a few weeks before the election he an- 
nounced that he would support Mr. Cleve- 
land, the Democratic nominee for president. 
Upon the election of Mr. Cleveland in the 
fall of 1892, Judge Gresham was made the 
secretary of state, and filled that position 
until his death on May 28, 1895, at Wash- 
ington, District of Columbia. 



ELISHA B. ANDREWS, noted as an ed- 
ucator and college president, was born 
at Hinsdale, New Hampshire, January 10, 
1844, his father and mother being Erastus 
and Elmira (Bartlett) Andrews. In 1861, 
he entered the service of the general gov- 
ernment as private and non-commissioned 
officer in the First Connecticut Heavy Ar- 
tillery, and in 1863 was promoted to the 



rank of second lieutenant. Returning home 
he was prepared for college at Powers In- 
stitute and at the Wesleyan Academy, and 
entered Brown University. From here he 
was graduated in 1870. For the succeeding 
two years he was principal of the Connecti- 
cut Literary Institute at Suffield, Connecticut. 
Completing a course at the Newton Theo- 
logical Institute, he was ordained pastor of 
the First Baptist church at Beverly, Massa- 
chusetts, July 2, 1874. The following 
year he became president of the Denison 
University, at Granville, Ohio. In 1879 
he accepted the professorship of homiletics, 
pastoral duties and church polity at Newton 
Theological Institute. In 1882 he was 
elected to the chair of history and political 
economy at Brown University. The Uni- 
versity of Nebraska honored him with an 
LL. D. in 1884, and the same year Colby 
University conferred the degree of D. D. 
In 1888 he became professor of political 
economy and public economy at Cornell 
University, but the next year returned to 
Brown University as its president. From 
the time of his inauguration the college work 
broadened in many ways. Many timely 
and generous donations from friends and 
alumni of the college were influenced by 
him, and large additions made "to the same. 
Professor Andrews published, in 1887, 
"Institutes of General History," and in 
1888, " Institutes of Economics." 



JOHN WILLIAM DRAPER, the subject 
of the present biography, was, during his 
life, one of the most distinguished chemists 
and scientific writers in America. He was 
an Englishman by birth, born at Liverpool, 
May 5, 181 1, and was reared in his native 
land, receiving an excellent education, 
graduating at the University of London. In 
1833 ^^ came to the United States, and 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 



187 



settled first in Pennsylvania. He graduated 
in medicine at the University of Philadel- 
phia, in 1836, and for three years following 
was professor of chemistry and physiology 
at Hampden-Sidney College. He then be- 
came professor of chemistry in the New York 
University, with which institution he was 
prominently connected for many years. It 
is stated on excellent authority that Pro- 
fessor Draper, in 1839, took the first photo- 
graphic picture ever taken from life. He 
was a great student, and carried on many 
important and intricate experiments along 
scientific lines. He discovered many of the 
fundamental facts of spectrum analysis, 
which he published. He published a number 
of works of great merit, many of which are 
recognized as authority upon the subjects of 
which they treat. Among his work were: 
"Human Physiology, Statistical and Dyna- 
mical of the Conditions and Cause of Life 
in Man," "History of Intellectual Develop- 
ment of Europe," "History of the Ameri- 
can Civil War," besides a number of works 
on chemistry, optics and mathematics. Pro- 
fessor Draper continued to hold a high place 
among the scientific scholars of America 
until his death, which occurred in January, 
1882. 

GEORGE W. PECK, ex-governor of 
the state of Wisconsin and a famous 
journalist and humorist, was born in Jeffer- 
son county, New York, September 28, 1840. 
When he was about three years of age his 
parents removed to Wisconsin, settling near 
Whitewater, where young Peck received his 
education at the public schools. At fifteen 
he entered the office of the "Whitewater 
Register," where he learned the printer's 
art. He helped start the "Jefferson County 
Republican" later on, but sold out his 

interest therein and set type in the office of 
11 



the "State Journal," at Madison. At the 
outbreak of the war he enlisted in the 
Fourth Wisconsin Cavalry as a private, and 
after serving four years returned a second 
lieutenant. He then started the " Ripon 
Representative," which he sold not long 
after, and removing to New York, was on 
the staff of Mark Pomeroy's "Democrat." 
Going to La Crosse, later, he conducted the 
La Crosse branch paper, a half interest in 
which he bought in 1874. He next started 
"Peck's Sun," which four years later he 
removed to Milwaukee. While in La 
Crosse he was chief of police one year, and 
also chief clerk of the Democratic assembly 
in 1874. It was in 1878 that Mr. Peck 
took his paper to Milwaukee, and achieved 
his first permanent success, the circulation 
increasing to 80,000. For ten years he was 
regarded as one of the most original, versa- 
tile and entertaining writers in the country, 
and he has delineated every phase of 
country newspaper life, army life, domestic 
experience, travel and city adventure. Up 
to 1890 Mr. Peck took but little part in 
politics, but in that year was elected mayor 
of Milwaukee on the Democratic ticket. 
The following August he was elected gov- 
ernor of Wisconsin by a large majority, 
the "Bennett School Bill" figuring to a 
large extent in his favor. 

Mr. Peck, besides many newspaper arti- 
cles in his peculiar vein and numerous lect- 
ures, bubbling over with fun, is known to 
fame by the following books: "Peck's Bad 
Boy and his Pa," and "The Grocery Man 
and Peck's Bad Boy." 



CHARLES O'CONOR, who was for 
many years the acknowledged leader 
of the legal profession of New York City, 
was also conceded to be one of the greatest 
lawyers America has produced. He was 



188 



COMPENDIUM OF BlOGRArilV. 



born in New York City in 1804, Ills fiither 
being an educated Irish gentleman. Charles 
received a cotninon-school education, and 
early took up the study of law, being ad- 
mitted to practice in 1S24. His close ap- 
plication and untiring energy and industry 
soon placed him in the front rank of the 
profession, and within a few years he was 
handling many of the most important cases. 
One of the lirst great cases he had and which 
gaint'd him a wide reputation, was that of 
"Jack, the Fugitive Slave," in 1835, in which 
his masterful argument before the supreme 
court attracted wide attention and com- 
nuMit. Charles O'Conor was a Democrat 
all his life. He did not aspire to office- 
holding, however, and never held any office 
except that of district attorney under Presi- 
dent Pierce's administration, which he only 
retained a short time. He took an active 
interest, however, in public questions, and 
was a member of the state (New York) con- 
stitutional convention in 1S64. In 1868 he 
was nominated for the presidency by the 
' ' Extreme Democrats. " His death occurred 
in May, 1884. 

SIMON BOLIVAR BUCKNER, a noted 
American officer and major-general in 
the Confederate army, was born in Ken- 
tucky in 1 823. He graduated from West 
Point Military Academy in 1844, served in 
the United States infantry and was later as- 
signed to commissary duty with the rank of 
captain. He served several years at fron- 
tier posts, and was assistant professor in the 
military academy in 1846. He was with 
General Scott in the Mexican war, and en- 
gaged in all the battles from Vera Cruz to 
the capture of the Mexican capital. He 
was wounded at Chcrubusco and brcvetted 
first lieutenant, and at Molino del Key was 
brcvetted captain. After the close of the 



Mexican war he returned to West Point as 
assistant instructor, and was then assigned 
to commissary duty at New York. He re- 
signed in 1855 and became sui>erintendent 
of construction of the Chicago custom house. 
He was made adjutant-genenal, with the 
rank of colonel, i>f Illinois militia, and was 
colonel of Illinois volunteers raised for the 
Utah expedition, but was not mustered into 
service. In i860 he removed to Kentucky, 
where he settled on a farm near Louisville 
and became inspector-general in command 
of the Kentucky Home Guards. At the 
opening of the Civil war he joined the Con- 
federate army, and was given command at 
Bowling Green, Kentucky, which he was 
compelled to abandon after the capture of 
Fort Henry. He then retired to Fort Don- 
elson, and was there captured with sixteen 
thousand men, and an immense store of pro- 
visions, by General Grant, in February, 
1862. He was held as a prisoner of war 
at Fort Warren until August of that year. 
He commanded a division of Hardee's corps 
in Bragg's Army of the Tennessee, and was 
afterward assigned to the third division and 
participated in the battles of Chickamauga, 
and Murfreesboro. He was with Kirby 
Smith when that general surrendered his 
army to General Canby in May, 1865. He 
was an unsuccessful candidate for the vice- 
presidency on the Gold Democratic ticket 
with Senator John M. Palmer in 1896. 



SIMON KENTON, one of the famous pio- 
neers and scouts whose names fill the 
pages of the early history of our country, 
was born in Fauquier county, Virginia, 
April 3, 1755. In consequence of an affray, 
at the age of eighteen, young Kenton went 
to Kentucky, then the "Dark and Bloody 
Ground," and became associated with Dan- 
iel Boone and other pioneers of that region. 



COMPENDIUM or JUUGJiA/'J/r. 



189 



For a short time he acted as a scout and 
spy for Lord Dnnmore, the Hritish f,'overn(jr 
of Virginia, but afterward taking the side 
of the struggling colonists, participated in 
the war for independence west of the Alie- 
ghanics. In 1784 he returned to Virginia, 
but (lid not remain there long, going back 
wilti his family to Kentucky. From 
that time until 1793 he participated in all 
the combats and battles of that time, and 
until "Mad Anthony" Wayne swept the 
Valley of the Ohio, and settled the suprem- 
acy of the whites in that region. Kenton 
laid claim to large tracts of land in the new 
country he had helped to open up, but 
through ignorance of law, and the growing 
value of the land, lost it all and was reduced 
to poverty. During the war with England 
in 1812-15, Kenton took part in the inva- 
sion of Canada with the Kentucky troops 
and participated in the battle of the Thames. 
He finally had land granted him by the 
legislature of Kentucky, and received a pen- 
sion from the United States government. 
He died in Logan county, Ohio, April 29, 
1836. 

ELIHU BENJAMIN WASHBURNE, an 
American statesman of eminence, was 
born in Livermore, Maine, September 23, 
1816. He learned the trade of printer, but 
abandoned that calling at the age of eight- 
een and entered the Kent's Hill Academy at 
Reading, Maine, and then took up the study 
of law, reading in Hali(jwell, Boston, and at 
the Harvard Law School. He began prac- 
tice at Galena, Illinois, in 1840. He was 
elected to congress in 1852, and represented 
his district in that body continuously until 
March, 1869, and at the time of his retire- 
ment he had served a greater number of 
consecutive terms than any other member 
of the house. In 1873 President Grant ap- 



pointed him secretary of state, which posi- 
tion he resigned to accept that of miiiist'^r 
to France. During the Franco- Prussian 
war, including the siege of Paris and the 
reign of the Commune, Mr. Washburne re- 
mained at his post, protecting the lives and 
property of his countrymen, as well as that 
of other foreign residents in Paris, while the 
ministers of all other jiowcrs ab.'indoned 
their posts at a titne when they were most 
needed. As far as possible he extended 
protection to unfortunate Cierman residents, 
who were the particular objects of hatred of 
the populace, and his firmness and the suc- 
cess which attended his efforts won the ad- 
miration of all Europe. Mr. Washburne 
died at Chicago, Illinois, October 22, 1887. 



WILLIAM CRAMP, one of the most 
extensive shii)t)uil(lers of this coun- 
try, was born in Kensingtcjn, then a suburb, 
now a part of Philadelphia, in 1806. He 
received a thorough English education, and 
when he left school was associated with 
Samuel Grice, one of the most eminent 
naval architects of his day. In 1830, hav- 
ing mastered all the details of shipbuilding, 
Mr. Cramp engaged in business on his own 
account. By reason of ability and excel- 
lent work he prospered from the start, until 
now, in the hands of his sons, under the 
name of William Cramp & Sons' Ship and 
EngineBuilding Company, ithas become the 
most complete shipbuilding plant and naval 
arsenal in the western hemisphere, and fully 
equal to any in the world. As Mr. Cramp's 
sons attained manhood they learned their 
father's profession, and were admitted to a 
partnership. In 1872 the firm was incor- 
porated under the title given above. Until 
i860 wood was used in building vessels, al- 
thfjugh pace was kejit with all advances in 
the art of shipbuilding. At the opening of 



190 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 



the war came an unexpected demand for 
war vessels, which they promptly met. The 
sea-going ironclad "New Ironsides" was 
built by them in 1862, followed by a num- 
ber of formidable ironclads and the cruiser 
"Chattanooga." They subsequently built 
several war vessels for the Russian and 
other governments which added to their 
reputation. When the American steamship 
line was established in 1870, the Cramps 
were commissioned to build for it four first- 
class iron steamships, the " Pennsylvania," 
"Ohio," "Indiana" and "Illinois," which 
they turned out in rapid order, some of the 
finest specimens of the naval architecture of 
their day. William Cramp remained at the 
head of the great companj' he had founded 
until his death, which occurred January 6, 

1879. 

Charles H. Cramp, the successor of his 
father as head of the William Cramp & 
Sons' Ship and Engine Building Company, 
was born in Philadelphia May 9, 1829, and 
received an excellent education in his native 
city, which he sedulously sought to sup- 
plement by close study until he became 
an authority on general subjects and the 
best naval architect on the western hemis- 
phere. Many of the best vessels of our 
new navy were built by this immense con- 
cern. 

WASHINGTON ALLSTON, probably 
the greatest American painter, was 
born in South Carolina in 1779. He was 
sent to school at the age of seven years at 
Newport, Rhode Island, where he met Ed- 
ward Malbone, two years his senior, and 
who later became a painter of note. The 
friendship that sprang up between them un- 
doubtedly influenced young Allston in the 
choice of a profession. He graduated from 
Harvard in 1800, and went to England the 



following year, after pursuing his studies for 
a year under his friend Malbone at his home 
in South Carolina. He became a student 
at the Royal Academy where the great 
American, Benjamin West, presided, and 
who became his intimate friend. Allston 
later went to Paris, and then to Italy, where 
four years were spent, mostly at Rome. In 
1809 he returned to America, but soon after 
returned to London, having married in the 
meantime a sister of Dr. Channing. In 
a short time his first great work appeared, 
"The Dead Man Restored to Life by the 
Bones of Elisha," which took the British 
Association prize and firmly established his 
reputation. Other paintings followed in 
quick succession, the greatest among which 
were "Uriel in the Center of the Sun," 
"Saint Peter Liberated by the Angel," and 
"Jacob's Dream," supplemented by many 
smaller pieces. Hard work, and grief at the 
death of his wife began to tell upon his health, 
and he left London in 1818 for America. 
The same year he was elected an associate 
of the Royal Academy. During the next 
few years he painted "Jeremiah," "Witch 
ofEndor," and "Beatrice." In 1830 Alls- 
ton married a daughter of Judge Dana, and 
went to Cambridge, which was his home 
until his death. Here he produced the 
"Vision of the Bloody Hand," "Rosalie," 
and many less noted pieces, and had given 
one week of labor to his unfinished master- 
piece, "Belshazzar's Feast," when death 
ended his career July 9, 1843. 



JOHN ROACH, ship builder and manu- 
facturer, whose career was a marvel of 
industrial labor, and who impressed his in- 
dividuality and genius upon the times in 
which he lived more, perhaps, than any 
other manufacturer in America. He was 
born at Mitchelstown, County Cork, Ire- 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 



191 



land, December 25, 18 15, the son of a 
wealthy merchant. He attended school 
until he was thirteen, when his father be- 
came financially embarrassed and failed 
and shortly after died; John determined to 
come to America and carve out a fortune 
for himself. He landed in New York at the 
age of sixteen, and soon obtained employ- 
ment at the Howell Iron Works in New Jer- 
sey, at twenty-five cents a day. He soon 
made himself a place in the world, and at 
the end of three years had saved some 
twelve hundred dollars, which he lost by 
the failure of his employer, in whose hands 
it was left. Returning to New York he 
began to learn how to make castings for 
marine engines and ship work. Having 
again accumulated one thousand dollars, in 
company with three fellow workmen, he 
purchased a small foundry in New York, 
but soon became sole proprietor. At the 
end of four years he had saved thirty thou- 
sand dollars, "besides enlarging his works. 
In 1856 his works were destroyed by a 
boiler explosion, and being unable to collect 
the insurance, was left, after paying his 
debts, without a dollar. However, his 
credit and reputation for integrity was good, 
and he built the Etna Iron Works, giving it 
capacity to construct larger marine engines 
than any previously built in this country. 
Here he turned out immense engines for 
the steam ram Dunderberg, for the war ves- 
sels Winooski and Neshaning, and other 
large vessels. To accommodate his increas- 
ing business, Mr. Roach, in 1869, pur- 
chased the Morgan Iron Works, one of the 
largest in New York, and shortly after sev- 
eral others. In 1871 he bought the Ches- 
ter ship yards, which he added to largely, 
erecting a rolling mill and blast furnace, and 
providing every facility for building a ship 
out of the ore and timber. This immense 



plant covered a large area, was valued at 
several millions of dollars, and was known 
as the Delaware River Iron Shipbuilding 
and Engine Works, of which Mr. Roach 
was the principal owner. He built a large 
percentage of the iron vessels now flying 
the American flag, the bulk of his business 
being for private parties. In 1875 he built 
the sectional dry docks at Pensacola. He, 
about this time, drew the attention of the 
government to the use of compound marine 
engines, and thus was the means of im- 
proving the speed and economy of the ves- 
sels of our new navy. In 1883 Mr. Roach 
commenced work on the three cruisers for 
the government, the "Chicago," "Boston" 
and "Atlanta," and the dispatch boat 
" Dolphin." For some cause the secretary 
of the navy refused to receive the latter and 
decided that Mr. Roach's contract would 
not hold. This embarrassed Mr. Roach, 
as a large amount of his capital was in- 
volved in these contracts, and for the pro- 
tection of bondsmen and creditors, July 18, 
1885, he made an assignment, but the 
financial trouble broke down his strong con- 
stitution, and January 10, 1887, he died. 
His son, John B. Roach, succeeded to the 
shipbuilding interests, while Stephen W. 
Roach inherited the Morgan Iron Works at 
New York. 

JOHN SINGLETON COPLEY, one of 
the two great painters who laid the 
foundation of true American art, was born 
in Boston in 1737, one year earlier than his 
great contemporary, Benjamin West. His 
education was limited to the common schools 
of that time, and his training in art he ob- 
tained by his own observation and experi- 
ments solely. When he was about seven- 
teen yearsold he had mapped out his future, 
however, by choosing painting as his pro- 



m 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 



fession. If he ever studied under any 
teacher in his early efforts, we have no au- 
thentic account of it, and tradition credits 
the young artist's wonderful success en- 
tirely to his own talent and untiring effort. 
It is almost incredible that at the age of 
twenty-three years his income from his 
works aggregated fifteen hundred dollars 
per annum, a very great sum in those days. 
In 1774 he went to Europe in search of ma- 
terial for study, which was so rare in his 
native land. After some time spent in Italy 
he finally took up his permanent residence 
in England. In 1783 he was made a mem- 
ber oi the Royal Academy, and later his 
son had the high honor of becoming lord 
chancellor of England and Lord Lyndhurst. 
Many specimens of Copley's work are to 
be found in the Memorial Hall at Harvard 
and in the Boston Museum, as well as a few 
of the works upon which he modeled his 
style. Copley was essentially a portrait 
painter, though his historical paintings at- 
tained great celebrity, his masterpiece 
being his " Death of Major Pierson," though 
that distinction has by some been given to 
his "Death of Chatham." It is said that 
he never saw a good picture until he was 
thirty-five years old, yet his portraits prior 
to that period are regarded as rare speci- 
mens. He died in 181 5. 



HENRY B. PLANT, one of the greatest 
railroad men of the country, became 
famous as president of the Plant system of 
railway and steamer lines, and also the 
Southern & Texas Express Co. He was 
born in October, 18 19, at Branford, 
Connecticut, and entered the railroad serv- 
ice in 1844, serving as express messenger 
on the Hartford & New Haven Railroad until 
1853, during which time he had entire 
charge of the expr^-ss jusiness of that road. 



He went south in 1853 and established ex- 
press lines on various southern railways, and 
in 1 86 1 organized the Southern Express 
Co., and became its president. In 1879 he 
purchased, with others, the Atlantic & Gulf 
Railroad of Georgia, and later reorganized 
the Savannah, Florida & Western Railroad, 
of which he became president. He pur- 
chased and rebuilt, in 1880, the Savannah 
& Charleston Railroad, now Charleston & 
Savannah. Not long after this he organ- 
ized the Plant Investment Co., to control 
these railroads and advance their interests 
generally, and later established a steamboat 
line on the St. John's river, in Florida. 
From 1S53 until i860 he was general 
superintendent of the southern division of 
the Adams Express Co., and in 1867 be- 
came president of the Texas Express Co. 
The "Plant system" of railway, steamer 
and steamship lines is one of the greatest 
business corporations of the southern states. 



WADE HAMPTON, a noted Confeder- 
ate officer, was born at Columbia, 
South Carolina, in 18 18. He graduated 
from the South Carolina College, took an 
active part in politics, and was twice elected 
to the legislature of his state. In 1861 he 
joined the Confederate army, and command- 
ed the " Hampton Legion" at the first bat- 
tle of Bull Run, in July, 1861. He did 
meritorious service, was wounded, and pro- 
moted to brigadier-general. He command- 
ed a brigade at Seven Pines, in 1862, and 
was again wounded. He was engaged in 
the battle of Antietam in September of the 
same year, and participated in the raid into 
Pennsylvania in October. In 1863 he was 
with Lee at Gettj-sburg, where he was 
wounded for the third time. He was pro- 
moted to the rank of lieutenant-general, and 
commanded a troop of cavalry in Lee's 



COMPENDIUM OP BIOGRAPHY. 



193 



army during 1864, and was in numerous en- 
gagements. In 1865 he was in South Car- 
olina, and commanded the cavalry rear 
guard of the Confederate army in its stub- 
born retreat before General Sherman on his 
advance toward Richmond. 

After the war Hampton took an active 
part in politics, and was a prominent figure 
at the Democratic national convention in 
1868, which nominated Seymour and Blair 
for president and vice-president. He was 
governor of South Carolina, and took his 
seat in the United States senate in 1879, 
where he became a conspicuous figure in 
national affairs. 



NIKOLA TESLA, one of the most cele- 
brated electricians America has known, 
was born in 1857, at Smiljau, Lika, Servia. 
He descended from an old and representative 
family of that country. His father was a 
a minister of the Greek church, of high rank, 
while his mother was a woman of remarka- 
ble skill in the construction of looms, churns 
and the machinery required in a rural home. 
Nikola received early education in the 
public schools of Gospich, when he was 
sent to the higher "Real Schule" at Karl- 
stadt, where, after a three years' course, 
he graduated in 1873. He devoted him- 
self to experiments in electricity and 
magnetism, to the chagrin of his father, 
who had destined him for the ministry, 
but giving way to the boy's evident genius 
he was allowed to continue his studies in 
the polytechnic school at Gratz. He in- 
herited a wonderful intuition which enabled 
him to see through the intricacies of ma- 
chinery, and despite his instructor's demon- 
stration that a dynamo could not be oper- 
ated without commutators or brushes, 
began experiments which finally resulted in 
his rotating field motors. After the study 



of languages at Prague and Buda-Pesth, he 
became associated with M. Puskas, who 
had introduced the telephone into Hungary. 
He invented several improvements, but 
being unable to reap the necessary benefit 
from them, he, in search of a wider field, 
went to Paris, where he found employment 
with one of the electric lighting companies 
as electrical engineer. Soon he set his face 
westward, and coming to the United States 
for a time found congenial employment wrth 
Thomas A. Edison. Finding it impossible, 
overshadowed as he was, to carry out his 
own ideas he left the Edison works to join 
a company formed to place his own inven- 
tions on the market. He perfected his 
rotary field principle, adapting it to circuits 
then in operation. It is said of him that 
some of his proved theories will change the 
entire electrical science. It would, in an 
article of this length, be impossible to ex- 
plain all that Tesla accomplished for the 
practical side of electrical engineering. 
His discoveries formed the basis of the at- 
tempt to utilize the water power of Niagara 
Falls. His work ranges far beyond the 
vast department of polyphase currents and 
high potential lighting and includes many 
inventions in arc lighting, transformers, 
pyro and thermo-magnetic motors, new 
forms of incandescent lamps, unipolar dyna- 
mos and many others. 



CHARLES B. LEWIS won fame as an 
American humorist under the name of 
" M. Quad." It is said he owes his 
celebrity originally to the fact that he was 
once mixed up in a boiler explosion on the 
Ohio river, and the impressions he received 
from the event he set up from his case when 
he was in the composing room of an ob- 
scure Michigan paper. His style possesses a 
peculiar quaintness, and there runs through 



194 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 



it a vein of philosophy. Mr. Lewis was 
born in 1844, near a town called Liverpool, 
Ohio. He was, however, raised in Lansing, 
Michigan, where he spent a year in an agri- 
cultural college, going from there to the 
composing room of the "Lansing Demo- 
crat." At the outbreak of the war he en- 
listed in the service, remained during the 
entire war, and then returned to Lansing. 
The explosion of the boiler that "blew him 
into fame," took place two years later, while 
he was on his way south. When he re- 
covered physically, he brought suit for dam- 
ages against the steamboat company, which 
he gained, and was awarded a verdict of 
twelve thousand dollars for injuries re- 
ceived. It was while he was employed by 
the "Jacksonian" of Pontiac, Mich., that he 
set up his account of how he felt while being 
blown up. He says that he signed it "M 
Quad," because "a bourgeoise em quad is 
useless except in its own line — it won't 
justify with any other type." Soon after, 
because of the celebrity he attained by this 
screed, Mr. Lewis secured a place on the 
staff of the " Detroit Free Press," and made 
for that paper a wide reputation. His 
sketches of the "Lime Kiln Club" and 
" Brudder Gardner " are perhaps the best 
known of his humorous writings. 



HIRAM S. MAXIM, the famous inventor, 
was born in Sangersville, Maine, 
February 5, 1840, the son of Isaac W. 
and Harriet B. Maxim. The town of his 
birth was but a small place, in the 
woods, on the confines of civilization, 
and the family endured many hardships. 
They were without means and entirely 
dependent on themselves to make out of 
raw materials all they needed. The mother 
was an expert spinner, weaver, dyer and 
seamstress and the father a trapper, tanner, 



miller, blacksmith, carpenter, mason and 
farmer. Amid such surroundings young 
Maxim gave early promise of remarkable 
aptitude. With the universal Yankee jack- 
knife the products of his skill excited the 
wonder and interest of the locality. His 
parents did not encourage his latent genius 
but apprenticed him to a coach builder. 
Four years he labored at this uncongenial 
trade but at the end of that time he forsook 
it and entered a machine shop at Fitchburg, 
Massachusetts. Soon mastering the details 
of that business and that of mechanical 
drawing, he went to Boston as the foreman 
of the philosophical instrument manufactory. 
From thence he went to New York and with 
the Novelty Iron Works Shipbuilding Co. 
he gained experience in those trades. His 
inventions up to this time consisted of 
improvements in steam engines, and an 
automatic gas machine, which came into 
general use. In 1877 he turned his attention 
to electricity, and in 1878 produced an 
incandescent lamp, that would burn 1,000 
hours. He was the first to design a process 
for flashing electric carbons, and the first 
to "standardize" carbons for electric light- 
ing. In 1880 he visited Europe and exhibit- 
ing, at the Paris Exposition of 1881, a self- 
regulating machine, was decorated with the 
Legion of Honor. In 1883 he returned to 
London as the European representative of the 
United States Electric Light Co. An incident 
of his boyhood, in which the recoil of a rifle 
was noticed by him, and the apparent loss 
of power shown, in 188 1-2 prompted the 
invention of a gun which utilizes the recoil to 
automatically load and fire seven hundred 
and seventy shots per minute. The Maxim- 
Nordenfelt Gun Co., with a capital of nine 
million dollars, grew from this. In 1883 he 
patented his electric training gear for large 
guns. And later turned his attention to fly- 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 



195 



ing machines, which he claimed were not an 
impossibility. He took out over one hundred 
patents for smokeless gunpowder, and for pe- 
troleum and other motors and autocvcles. 



JOHN DAVISON ROCKEFELLER, 
one of America's very greatest financiers 
and philanthropists, was born in Richford, 
Tioga county. New York, July 8, 1839. He 
received a common-school education in his 
native place, and in 1853, when his parents 
removed to Cleveland, Ohio, he entered the 
high school of that city. After a two-years' 
course of diligent work, he entered the com- 
mission and forwarding house of Hewitt & 
Tuttle, of Cleveland, remaining with the 
firm some years, and then began business 
for himself, forming a partnership with 
Morris B. Clark. Mr. Rockefeller was then 
but nineteen years of age, and during the 
year i860, in connection with others, they 
started the oil refining business, under the 
firm name of Andrews, Clark & Co. Mr. 
Rockefeller and Mr. Andrews purchased the 
interest of their associates, and, after taking 
William Rockefeller into the firm, established 
offices in Cleveland under the name of 
William Rockefeller & Co. Shortly after 
this the house of Rockefeller & Co. was es- 
tablished in New York for the purpose of 
finding a market for their products, -and two 
years later all the refining companies were 
consolidated under the firm name of Rocke- 
feller, Andrews & Flagler. This firm was 
succeeded in 1870 by the Standard Oil 
Company of Ohio, said to be the most 
gigantic business corporation of modern 
times. John D. Rockefeller's fortune has 
been variously estimated at from one hun- 
dred million to two hundred million dollars. 
Mr. Rockefeller's philanthropy mani- 
fested itself principally through the American 
Baptist Educational Society. He donated 



the building for the Spelman Institute at 
Atlanta, Georgia, a school for the instruction 
of negroes. His other gifts were to the 
University of Rochester, Cook Academy, 
Peddie Institute, atnd Vassar College, be- 
sides smaller gifts to many institutions 
throughout the country. His princely do- 
nations, however, were to the University of 
Chicago. His first gift to this institution 
was a conditional offer of six hundred thou- 
sand dollars in 1889, and when this amount 
was paid he added one million more. Dur- 
ing 1892 he made it two gifts of one million 
each, and all told, his donations to this one 
institution aggregated between seven and 
eight millions of dollars. 



JOHN M. PALMER.— For over a third 
»J of a century this gentleman occupied a 
prominent place in the political world, both 
in the state of Illinois and on the broader 
platform of national issues. 

Mr. Palmer was born at Eagle Creek, 
Scott county, Kentucky, September 13, 
18 17. The family subsequently removed 
to Christian county, in the same state, where 
he acquired a common-school education, and 
made his home until 1831. His father was 
opposed to slavery, and in the latter year 
removed to Illinois and settled near Alton. 
In 1834 John entered Alton College, or- 
ganized on the manual-labor plan, but his 
funds failing, abandoned it and entered a 
cooper shop. He subsequently was en- 
gaged in peddling, and teaching a district 
school near Canton. In 1838 he began the 
study of law, and the following year re- 
moved to Carlinville, where, in December of 
that year, he was admitted to the bar. He 
was shortly after defeated for county clerk. 
In 1843 he was elected probate judge. In 
the constitutional convention of 1847, Mr. 
Palmer was a delegate, and from 1849 to 



196 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 



1851 he was county judge. In 1852 he be- 
came a member of the state senate, but not 
being with his party on the slavery question 
he resigned that office in 1854. In 1856 
Mr. Palmer was chairnian of the first Re- 
publican state convention held in Illinois, 
and the same year was a delegate to the 
national convention. In i860 he was an 
elector on the Lincoln ticket, and on the 
breaking out of the war entered the service 
as colonel of the Fourteenth Illinois Infan- 
try, but was shortly after brevetted brigadier- 
general. In August, 1862, he organized 
the One Hundred and Twenty-second Illi- 
nois Infantry, but in September he was 
placed in command of the first division of 
the Army of the Mississippi, afterward was 
promoted to the rank of major-general. In 
1865 he was assigned to the military ad- 
ministration in Kentucky. In 1867 General 
Palmer was elected governor of Illinois and 
served four years. In 1872 he went with 
the Liberal Republicans, who supported 
Horace Greeley, after which time he was 
identified with the Democratic party. In 
1890 he was elected United States senator 
from Illinois, and served as such for six 
years. In 1896, on the adoption of the sil- 
ver plank in the platform of the Democratic 
party, General Palmer consented to lead, 
as presidential candidate, the National Dem- 
ocrats, or Gold Democracy. 



WILLIAM H. BEARD, the humorist 
among American painters, was born 
at Painesville, Ohio, in 1821. His father, 
James H. Beard, was also a painter of na- 
tional reputation. William H. Beard be- 
gan his career as a traveling portrait 
painter. He pursued his studies in New 
York, and later removed to Buffalo, where 
be achieved reputation. He then went to 



Italy and after a short stay returned to New 
York and opened a studio. One of his 
earliest paintings was a small picture called 
"Cat and Kittens," which was placed in 
the National Academy on e.xhibition. Among 
his best productions are "Raining Cats and 
Dogs," "The Dance of Silenus," "Bears 
on a Bender," "Bulls and Bears," " Whoo!" 
" Grimalkin's Dream," "Little Red Riding 
Hood," "The Guardian of the Flag." His 
animal pictures convey the most ludicrous 
and satirical ideas, and the intelligent, 
human expression in their faces is most 
comical. Some artists and critics have re- 
fused to give Mr. Beard a place among the 
first circles in art, solely on account of the 
class of subjects he has chosen. 



WW. CORCORAN, the noted philan- 
throphist, was born at Georgetown, 
District of Columbia, December 27, 1798. 
At the age of twenty-five he entered the 
banking business in Washington, and in 
time became very wealthy. He was 
noted for his magnificent donations to char- 
ity. Oak Hill cemetery was donated to 
Georgetown in 1847, and ten years later the 
Corcoran Art Gallery, Temple of Art, was 
presented to the city of Washington. The 
uncompleted building was utilized by the 
government as quartermaster's headquar- 
ters during the war. The building was 
completed after the war at a cost of a mil- 
lion and a half dollars, all the gift of Mr. 
Corcoran. The Louise Home for Women 
is another noble charity to his credit. Its 
object is the care of women of gentle breed- 
ing who in declining years are without 
means of support. In addition to this he 
gave liberally to many worthy institutions 
of learning and charity. He died at Wash- 
ington February 24, 1888. 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 



197 



ALBERT BIERSTADT, the noted paint- 
er of American landscape, was born in 
Dusseldorf, Germany, in 1829, and was 
brought to America by his parents at the 
age of two years. He received his early 
education here, but returned to Dusseldorf 
to study painting, and also went to Rome. 
On his return to America he accompanied 
Lander's expedition across the continent, in 
1858, and soon after produced his most 
popular work, "The Rocky Mountains — 
Lander's Peak. " Its boldness and grandeur 
were so unusual that it made him famous. 
The picture sold for twenty-five thousand 
dollars. In 1867 Mr. Bierstadt went to 
Europe, with a government commission, 
and gathered materials for his great historic- 
al work, "Discovery of the North River 
by Hendrik Hudson." Others of his great 
works were "Storm in the Rocky Mount- 
ains," " Valley of the Yosemite," "North 
Fork of the Platte," "Diamond Pool," 
"Mount Hood," "Mount Rosalie," and 
"The Sierra Nevada Mountains." His 
"Estes Park" sold for fifteen thousand 
dollars, and "Mount Rosalie" brought 
thirty-five thousand dollars. His smaller 
Rocky mountain scenes, however, are vast- 
ly superior to his larger works in execution 
and coloring. 

ADDISON CAMMACK, a famous mill- 
ionaire Wall street speculator, was 
born in Kentucky. When sixteen years old 
he ran away from home and went to New 
Orleans, where he went to work in a ship- 
ping house. He outlived and outworked 
all the partners, and became the head of the 
firm before the opening of the war. At 
that time he htted out small vessels and en- 
gaged in running the blockade of southern 
ports and carrying ammunition, merchan- 
dise, etc., to the southern people. This 



made him a fortune. At the close of 'he 
war he quit business and went to New 
York. For two years he did not enter any 
active business, but seemed to be simply an 
on-Iooker in the great speculative center of 
America. He was observing keenly the 
methods and financial machinery, however, 
and when, in 1867, he formed a partnership 
with the popular Charles J. Osborne, the 
firm began to prosper. He never had an 
office on the street, but wandered into the 
various brokers' offices and placed his orders 
as he saw fit. In 1873 he dissolved his 
partnership with Osborne and operated 
alone. He joined a band of speculative 
conspirators known as the "Twenty-third 
party," and was the ruling spirit in that or- 
ganization for the control of the stock mar- 
ket. He was always on the ' ' bear " side and 
the only serious obstacle he ever encoun- 
tered was the persistent boom in industrial 
stocks, particularly sugar, engineered by 
James R. Keane. Mr. Cammack fought 
Keane for two years, and during the time is 
said to have lost no less than two million 
dollars before he abandoned the fight. 



WALT. WHITMAN.— Foremost among 
the lesser poets of the latter part of the 
nineteenth century, the gentleman whose 
name adorns the head of this article takes 
a conspicuous place. 

Whitman was born at West Hills, Long 
Island, New York, May 13, 1809. In the 
schools of Brooklyn he laid the foundation 
of his education, and early in life learned the 
printer's trade. For a time he taught coun- 
try schools in his native state. In 1846-7 
he was editor of the "Brooklyn Eagle," 
but in 1848-9 was on the editorial staff of 
the "Crescent," of New Orleans. He 
made an extended tour throughout the 
United States and Canada, and returned to 



./98 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 



Brooklyn, where, in 1850, he published the 
"Freeman. " For some years succeeding 
^Jiis he was engaged as carpenter and builder. 
During the Civil war, Whitman acted as 
a volunteer nurse in the hospitals at 
Washington and vicinity and from the close 
of hostilities until 1873 he was employed 
in various clerkships in the government 
offices in the nation's capital. In the latter 
year he was stricken with paralysis as a 
result of his labors in the hospital, it is 
said, and being partially disabled lived for 
many years at Camden, New Jersey. 

The first edition of the work which was 
to bring him fame, "Leaves of Grass," was 
published in 1855 and was but a small 
volume of about ninety-four pages. Seven 
or eight editions of "Leaves of Grass" have 
been issued, each enlarged and enriched with 
new poems. "Drum Taps," at first a 
separate publication, has been incorporated 
with the others. This volume and one 
prose writing entitled " Specimen Days and 
Collect," constituted his whole work. 

Walt. Whitman died at Camden, New 
Jersey, March 26, 1892. 



HENRY DUPONT, who became cele- 
brated as America's greatest manufact- 
urer of gunpowder, was a native of Dela- 
ware, born August 8, 1S12. He received 
his education in its higher branches at the 
United States Military Academy at West 
Point, from which he graduated and entered 
the army as second lieutenant of artillery in 
1833. In 1834 he resigned and became 
proprietor of the extensive gunpowder 
manufacturing plant that bears his name, 
near Wilmington, Delaware. His large 
business interests interfered with his tak- 
ing any active participation in political 
life, although for many years he served 
as adjutant-general of his native state, and 



during the war as major-general command- 
ing the Home Guards. He died August 8, 
1889. His son, Henry A. Dupont, also was 
a native of Delaware, and was born July 30, 
1838. After graduating from West Point 
in 1861, he entered the army as second 
lieutenant of engineers. Shortly after he 
was transferred to the Fifth Artillery as first 
lieutenant. He was promoted to the rank 
of captain in 1864, serving in camp and 
garrison most of the time. He was in com- 
mand of a battery in the campaign of 
1863-4. As chief of artillery of the army of 
West Virginia, he figured until the close of 
the war, being in the battles of Opequan, 
Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek, besides 
many minor engagements. He afterward 
acted as instructor in the artillery school at 
Fortress Monroe, and on special duty at 
West Point. He resigned from the army 
March i, 1875. 



WILLIAM DEERING, one of the fa- 
mous manufacturers of America, and 
also a philanthropist and patron of educa- 
tion, was born in Maine in 1826. His an- 
cestors were English, having settled in New 
England in 1634. Early in life it was Will- 
iam's intention to become a physician, and 
after completing his common-school educa- 
tion, when about eighteen years of age, he 
began an apprenticeship with a physician. 
A short time later, however, at the request 
of his father, he took charge of his father's 
business interests, which included a woolen 
mill, retail store and grist mill, after which 
he became agent for a dry goods commission 
house in Portland, where he was married. 
Later he became partner in the firm, and 
removed to New York. The business pros- 
pered, and after a number of years, on ac- 
count of failing health, Mr. Deering sold his 
interest to his partner, a Mr. Milner. The 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 



199 



business has since made Mr. Milner a mill- 
ionaire many times over. A few years 
later Mr. Deering located in Chicago. His 
beginning in the manufacture of reapers, 
which has since made his name famous, 
was somewhat of an accident. He had 
loaned money to a man in that business, 
and in 1878 was compelled to buy out the 
business to protect his interests. The busi- 
ness developed rapidly and grew to immense 
proportions. The factories now cover sixty- 
two acres of ground and employ many thou- 
sands of men. 



JOHN McAllister schofield, an 
American general, was born in Chautau- 
qua county. New York, September 29, 1831. 
He graduated at West Point in 1853, and 
was for five years assistant professor of nat- 
ural philosophy in that institution. In i86i 
he entered the volunteer service as major of 
the First Missouri Volunteers, and was ap- 
pointed chief of staff by General Lyon, under 
whom he fought at the battle of Wilson's 
Creek. In November, 1861, he was ap- 
pointed brigadier-general of volunteers, and 
was placed in command of the Missouri 
militia until November, 1862, and of the 
army of the frontier from that time until 
1863. In 1862 he was made major-general 
of volunteers, and was placed in command of 
the Department of the Missouri, and in 1864 
of the Department of the Ohio. During the 
campaign through Georgia General Scho- 
field was in command of the Twenty-third 
Army Corps, and was engaged in most of the 
fighting of that famous campaign. Novem- 
ber 30, 1864, he defeated Hood's army at 
Franklin, Tennessee, and then joined Gen- 
eral Thomas at Nashville. He took part in 
the battle of Nashville, where Hood's army 
was destroyed. In January, 1865, he led 
his corps into North Carolina, captured 



Wilmington, fought the battle of Kingston, 
and joined General Sherman at Goldsboro 
March 22, 1865. He executed the details 
of the capitulation of General Johnston to 
Sherman, which practically closed the war. 
In June, 1868, General Schofield suc- 
ceeded Edwin M. Stanton as secretary of 
war, but was the next year appointed major- 
general of the United States army, and order- 
ed to the Department of the Missouri. From 
1870 to 1876 he was in command of the De- 
partment of the Pacific; from 1876 to 1881 
superintendent of the West Point Military 
Academy; in 1883 he was in charge of the 
Department of the Missouri, and in 1886 of 
the division of the Atlantic. In 1888 he 
became general-in-chief of the United States 
army, and in February, 1895, was appoint- 
ed lieutenant-general by President Cleve- 
land, that rank having been revived by con- 
gress. In September, 1895, he was retired 
from active service. 



LEWIS WALLACE, an American gen- 
eral and famous author, was born iri 
Brookville, Indiana, April 10, 1827. He 
served in the Mexican war as first lieutenant 
of a company of Indiana Volunteers. After 
his return from Mexico he was admitted to 
the bar, and practiced law in Covington and 
Crawfordsville, Indiana, until 1861. At the 
opening of the war he was appointed ad- 
jutant-general of Indiana, and soon after be- 
came colonel of the Eleventh Indiana Vol- 
unteers. He defeated a force of Confeder- 
ates at Romney, West Virginia, and was 
made brigadier-general in September, 1861. 
At the capture of Fort Donelson in 1862 he 
commanded a division, and was engaged in 
the second day's fight at Shiloh. In 1863 
his defenses about Cincinnati saved that city 
from capfure by Ivirby Smith. At Monoc- 
acy in July, 1864, he was defeated, but 



200 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 



his resistance delayed the advance of Gen- 
eral Early and thus saved Washington from 
capture. 

General Wallace was a member of the 
court that tried the assassins of President 
Lincoln, and also of that before whom Cap- 
tain Henry Wirtz, who had charge of the 
Andersonville prison, was tried. In 1881 
General Wallace was sent as minister to 
Turkey. When not in official service he 
devoted much of his time to literature. 
Among his better known works are his 
"Fair God," "Ben Hur," "Prince of 
India," and a " Life of Benjamin Harrison." 



THO^f AS FRANCIS BAYARD, an Ameri- 
can statesman and diplomat, was born 
at Wilmington, Delaware, October 29, 1828. 
He obtained his education at an Episcopal 
academy at Flushing, Long Island, and 
after a short service in a mercantile house in 
New York, he returned to Wilmington and 
entered his father's law office to prepare 
himself for the practice of that profession. 
He was admitted to the bar in 185 1. He 
was appointed to the office of United States 
district attorney for the state of Delaware, 
serving one year. In 1869 he was elected to 
the United States senate, and continuously 
represented his state in that body until 1885, 
and in 1881, when Chester A. Arthur entered 
the presidential chair, Mr. Bayard was 
chosen president pro tempore of the senate. 
He had also served on the famous electoral 
commission that decided the Hayes-Tilden 
contest in 1876-7. In 1885 President Cleve- 
land appointed Mr. Bayard secretary of 
state. At the beginning of Cleveland's sec- 
ond term, in 1893, Mr. Bayard was selected 
for the post of ambassador at the court of 
St. James, London, and was the first to hold 
that rank in American diplomacy, serving 
until the beginning of the McKinley admin- 



istration. The questions for adjustment at 
that time between the two governments 
were the Behring Sea controversy and the 
Venezuelan boundary question. He was 
very popular in England because of his 
tariff views, and because of his criticism of 
the protective policy of the United States 
in his public speeches delivered in London, 
Edinburgh and other places, he received, in 
March, 1896, a vote of censure in the lower 
house of congress. 



JOHN WORK GARRETT, for so many 
years at the head of the great Baltimore 
& Ohio railroad system, was born in Balti- 
more, Maryland, July 31, 1820. His father, 
Robert Garrett, an enterprising merchant, 
had amassed a large fortune from a small 
beginning. The son entered Lafayette Col- 
lege in 1834, but left the following year and 
entered his father's counting room, and in 
1839 became a partner. John W. Gar- 
rett took a great interest in the develop- 
ment of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. He 
was elected one of the directors in 1857, 
and was its president from 1858 until his 
death. When he took charge of the road 
it was in an embarrassed condition, but 
within a year, for the first time in its exist- 
ence, it paid a dividend, the increase in its 
net gains being $725,385. After the war, 
during which the road suffered much damage 
from the Confederates, numerous branches 
and connecting roads were built or acquired, 
until it reached colossal proportions. Mr. 
Garrett was also active in securing a regular 
line of steamers between Baltimore and 
Bremen, and between the same port and 
Liverpool. He was one of the most active 
trustees of Johns Hopkins University, and a 
liberal contributor to the Young Men's 
Christian Association of Baltimore. He 
died September 26, 1884. 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 



201 



Robert Garrett, the son of John W. 
Garrett, was born in Baltimore April 9, 
1847, and graduated from Princeton in 1867. 
He received a business education in the 
banking house of his father, and in 1871 
became president of the Valley Railroad of 
Virginia. He was made third vice-presi- 
dent of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad in 
1879, and first vice-president in 1881. He 
succeeded his father as president in 1884. 
Robert Garrett died July 29, 1896. 



CARL SCHURZ, a noted German-Ameri- 
can statesman, was born in Liblar, Prus- 
sia, March 2, 1829. He studied at the Uni- 
versity of Bonn, and in 1849 was engaged in 
an attempt to excite an insurrection at that 
place. After the surrender of Rastadt by 
the revolutionists, in the defense of which 
Schurz took part, he decided to emigrate to 
America. He resided in Philadelphia three 
years, and then settled in Watertown, Wis- 
consin, and in 1859 removed to Milwaukee, 
where he practiced law. On the organiza- 
tion of the Republican party he became a 
leader of the German element and entered 
the campaign for Lincoln in i860. He was 
appointed minister to Spain in 1861, but re- 
signed in December of that year to enter 
the army. He was appointed brigadier- 
general in 1862, and participated in the 
second battle of Bull Run, and also at 
Chancellorsville. At Gettysburg he had 
temporary command of the Eleventh Army 
Corps, and also took part in the battle of 
Chattanooga. 

After the war he located at St. Louis, 
and in 1869 was elected United States sena- 
tor from Missouri. He supported Horace 
Greeley for the presidency in 1872, and in 
the campaign of 1876, having removed to 
New York, he supported Hayes and the Re- 
publican ticket, and was appointed secre- 



tary of the interior in 1877. In 1881 he 
became editor of the "New York Evening 
Post," and in 1884 was prominent in his 
opposition to James G. Blaine, and became 
a leader of the "Mugwumps," thus assist- 
ing in the election of Cleveland. In the 
presidential campaign of 1896 his forcible 
speeches in the interest of sound money 
wielded an immense influence. Mr. Schurz 
wrote a "Life of Henry Clay," said to be 
the best biography ever published of that 
eminent statesman. 



GEORGE F. EDMUNDS, an American 
statesman of national reputation, was 
born in Richmond, Vermont, February i, 
1828. His education was obtained in the 
public schools and from the instructions of 
a private tutor. He was admitted to the 
bar, practiced law, and served in the state 
legislature from 1854 to 1859, during three 
years of that time being speaker of the lower 
house. He was elected to the state senate 
and acted as president pro tempore of that 
body in 1861 and 1862. He became promi- 
nent for his activity in the impeachment 
proceedings against President Johnson, and 
was appointed to the United States senate 
to fill out the unexpired term of Solomon 
Foot, entering that body in 1866. He was 
re-elected to the senate four times, and 
served on the electoral commission in 1877. 
He became president pro tempore of the 
senate after the death of President Garfield, 
and was the author of the bill which put an 
end to the practice of polygamy in the ter- 
ritory of Utah. In November, 1 891, owing 
to impaired health, he retired from the sen- 
ate and again resumed the practice of law. 



LUCIUS Q. C. LAMAR, a prominent 
political leader, statesman and jurist, 
was born in Putnam county, Georgia, Sep- 



202 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRATHr 



tember 17, 1825. He graduated from Emory 
College in 1845, studied law at Macon under 
Hon. A. H. Chappell, and was admitted to 
the bar in 1847. He moved to Oxford, 
Mississippi, in 1849, and was elected to a 
professorship in the State University. He 
resigned the next year and returned to Cov- 
ington, Georgia, and resumed the practice 
of law. In 1853 he was elected to the 
Georgia Legislature, and in 1854 he removed 
to his plantation in Lafayette county, Mis- 
sissippi, and was elected to represent his 
district in the thirty-fifth and thirty-sixth 
congresses. He resigned in i860, and was 
sent as a delegate to the secession conven- 
tion of the state. He entered the Confed- 
erate service in 1861 as lieutenant-colonel 
of the Nineteenth Regiment, and was soon 
after made colonel. In 1863 President 
Davis appointed him to an important diplo- 
matic mission to Russia. In 1866 he was 
elected professor of political economy and 
social science in the State University, and 
was soon afterward transferred to the pro- 
fessorship of the law department. He rep- 
resented his district in the forty-third and 
forty-fourth congresses, and was elected 
United States senator from Mississippi in 
1877, and re-elected in 1882. In 1885, be- 
fore the expiration of his term, he was 
appointed by President Cleveland as secre- 
tary of the interior, which position he held 
until his appointment as associate justice of 
the United States supreme court, in 1888, 
in which capacity he served until his death, 
January 23, 1894. 



BENJAMIN PENHALLOW SHILLA- 
BER won fame in the world of 
humorists under the name of "Mrs. Parting- 
ton." He was born in 1841 at Portsmouth, 
New Hampshire, and started out in life as a 
printer. Mr. Shillaber went to Dover, 



where he secured employment in a printing 
office, and from there he went to Demerara, 
Guiana, where he was employed as a com- 
positor in 1835-37. In 1S40 he became 
connected with the "Boston Post," and 
acquired quite a reputation as a humorist 
by his "Sayings of Mrs. Partington." He 
remained as editor of the paper until 1850, 
when he printed and edited a paper of his 
own called the "Pathfinder," which he con- 
tinued until 1852. Mr. Shillaber be- 
came editor and proprietor of the "Carpet 
Bag," which he conducted during 1850-52, 
and then returned to the "Boston Post," 
with which he was connected until 1856. 
During the same time he was one of the 
editors of the "Saturday Evening Gazette," 
and continued in this line after he severed 
his connection with the "Post," for ten 
years. After 1866 Mr. Shillaber wrote for 
various newspapers and periodicals, and 
during his life published the following 
books: ' 'Rhymes with Reason and Without, " 
"Poems," "Life and Sayings of Mrs. Part- 
ington," "Knitting Work," and others. 
His death occurred at Chelsea, Massachu- 
setts, November 25, 1890. 



EASTMAN JOHNSON stands first among 
painters of American country life. He 
was born in Lovell, Maine, in 1824, and be- 
gan his work in drawing at the age of eight- 
een years. His first works were portraits, 
and, as he took up his residence in Wash- 
ington, the most famous men of the nation 
were his subjects. In 1 846 he went to Bos- 
ton, and there made crayon portraits of 
Longfellow, Emerson, Sumner, Hawthorne 
and other noted men. In 1849 he went to 
Europe. He studied at Dusseldorf, Ger- 
many; spent a year at the Royal Academy, 
and thence to The Hague, where he spent 
four years, producing there his first pictures 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 



208 



of consequence, "The Card-Players " and 
"The Savoyard." He then went to Paris, 
but was called home, after an absence from 
America of six years. lie lived some time 
in Washington, and then spent two years 
among the Indians of Lake Superior. In 
1858 he prcjduced his famous picture, "The 
Old Kentucky Home." He took up his 
permanent residence at New York at that 
time. His " Sunday Morning in Virginia " 
is a work of equal merit. He was espe- 
cially successful in coloring, a master of 
drawing, and the expression conveys with 
precision the thought of the artist. His 
portrayal of family life and child life is un- 
equalled. Among his other great works are 
"The Confab," "Crossing a Stream,' 
"Chimney Sweep," "Old Stage Coach," 
" The New Bonnet," "The Drummer Boy," 
"Childhood of Lincoln," and a great vari- 
ety of equally familiar subjects. 



PIERCE GUST AVE TOUTANT BEAU- 
REGARD, one of the most distin- 
guished generals in the Confederate army, 
was born near New Orleans, Louisiana, 
May 28, 1818. He graduated from West 
Point Military Academy in 1838, and v/as 
made second lieutenant of engineers. He 
was with General Scott in Mexico, and dis- 
tinguished himself at Vera Cruz, Cerro 
Gordo, and the battles near the City of 
Mexico, for which he was twice brevetted. 
After the Mexican war closed he was placed 
in charge of defenses about New Orleans, 
and in i860 was appointed superintendent 
of the United States Military Academy at 
West Point. He held this position but a 
few months, when he resigned February 20, 
1 86 1, and accepted a commission of briga- 
dier-general in the Confederate army. He 
directed the attack on Fort Sumter, the 

first engagement of the Civil war. He was 
12 



in command of the Confederates at the first 
battle of Bull Run, and for this victory was 
made general. In 1862 he was placed in 
command of the Army of the Mississippi, 
and planned the attack upon General Grant 
at Shiloh, and upon the death of General 
Johnston he took command of the army 
and was only defeated by the timely arrival 
of General Buell with reinforcements. He 
commanded at Charleston and successfully 
defended that city against the combined at- 
tack by land and sea in 1863. In 1864 he 
was in command in Virginia, defeating Gen- 
eral Butler, and resisting Grant's attack 
upon Petersburg until reinforced from Rich- 
mond. During the long siege which fol- 
lowed he was sent to check General Sher- 
man's march to the sea, and was with Gen- 
eral Joseph E. Johnston when that general 
surrendered in 1865. After the close of the 
war he was largely interested in railroad 
management. In 1866 he was offered chief 
command of the Army of Roumania, and in 
1869, that of the Army of Egypt. He de- 
clined these offers. His death occurred 
February 20, 1893. 



HENRY GEORGE, one of America's 
most celebrated political economists, 
was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 
September2, 1839. He received a common- 
school education and entered the high 
school in 1853, and then went into a mer- 
cantile office. He made several voyages on 
the sea, and settled in California in 1858. 
He then worked at the printer's trade for a 
number of years, which he left to follow the 
editorial profession. He edited in succession 
several daily newspapers, and attracted at- 
tention by a number of strong essays and 
speeches on political and social questions. 
In 1871 he edited a pamphlet, entitled " Out 
Land and Policy," in which he outlined a 



204 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 



theory, which has since made him so widely 
known. This was developed in " Progress 
and Poverty," a book which soon attained a 
large circulation on both sides of the Atlan- 
tic, which has been extensively translated. 
In 1880 Mr. George located in New York, 
where he made his home, though he fre- 
quently addressed audiences in Great Britain, 
Ireland, Australia, and throughout the 
United States. In 1886 he was nominated 
by the labor organizations for mayor of New 
York, and made a campaign notable for its 
development of unexpectedpower. In 1887 he 
was candidate of the Union Labor party for 
secretary of state of New York. These cam- 
paigns served to formulate the idea of a single 
tax and popularize the Australian ballot sys- 
tem. Mr. George became a free trader in 
1888, and in 1892 supported the election of 
Grover Cleveland. His political and eco- 
nomic ideas, known as the "single tax," 
have a large and growing support, but are 
not confined to this country alone. He 
wrote numerous miscellaneous articles in 
support of his principles, and also published: 
"The Land Question," " Social Problems," 
"Protection or Free Trade," "The Condi- 
tion of Labor, an Open Letter to Pope Leo 
XIII.," and " Perplexed Philosopher." 



THOMAS ALEXANDER SCOTT. —This 
name is indissolubly connected with 
. the history and development of the railway 
systems of the United States. Mr. Scott 
was born December 28, 1823, at London, 
Franklin county, Pennsylvania. He was first 
regularly employed by Major James Patton, 
the collector of tolls on the state road be- 
tween Philadelphia and Columbia, Penn- 
sylvania. He entered into the employ of 
the Pennsylvania Railroad Company in 1850, 
and went through all the different branches 
of work until he had mastered all the details 



of the office work, and in 1858 he was ap- 
pointed general superintendent. Mr. Scott 
was the next year chosen vice-president of 
the road. This position at once brought 
him before the public, and the enterprise 
and ability displayed by him in its- manage- 
ment marked him as a leader among the 
railroad men of the country. At the out- 
break of the rebellion in 1S61, Mr. Scott 
was selected by Governor Curtin as a mem- 
ber of his staff, and placed in charge of the 
equipment and forwarding of the state troops 
to the seat of war. On April 27, 1861, the 
secretary of war desired to establish a new 
line of road between the national capital 
and Philadelphia, for the more expeditious 
transportation of troops. He called upon 
Mr. Scott to direct this work, and the road 
by the way of Annapolis and Perryville was 
completed in a marvelously short space of 
time. On May 3, 1861, he was commis- 
sioned colonel of volunteers, and on the 23d 
of the same month the government railroads 
and telegraph lines were placed in his charge. 
Mr. Scott was the first assistant secretary 
of war ever appointed, and he took charge 
of this new post August i, 1861. In Janu- 
ary, 1862, he was directed to organize 
transportation in the northwest, and in 
March he performed the same service on 
the western rivers. He resigned June i, 
1862, and resumed his direction of affairs on 
the Pennsylvania Railroad. Colonel Scott 
directed the policy that secured to his road 
the control of the western roads, and be- 
came the president of the new company to 
operate these lines in 1871. For one year, 
from March, 1871, he was president of the 
Union Pacific Railroad, and in 1874 he suc- 
ceeded to the presidency of the Pennsyl- 
vania Company. He projected the Texas 
Pacific Railroad and was for many years its 
president. Colonel Scott's health failed 



COMPENDn'^f OF BIOGRAPHY. 



205 



him and he resigned the presidency of the 
road June i, i8So, and died at his home in 
Darby, Pennsylvania, May 21, 1881. 



ROBERT TOOMBS, an American states- 
man of note, was born in Wilkes coun- 
ty, Georgia, July 2, 18 10. He attended 
the University of Georgia, and graduated 
from Union College, Schenectady, New 
York, and then took a law course at the 
University of Virginia. In 1830, before he 
had attained his majority, he was admitted 
to the bar by special act of the legislature, 
and rose rapidly in his profession, attracting 
the attention of the leading statesmen and 
judges of that time. He raised a volunteer 
company for the Creek war, and served as 
captain to the close. He was elected to the 
state legislature in 1837, re-elected in 1842, 
and in 1S44 was elected to congress. He 
had been brought up as a Jeffersonian 
Democrat, but voted for Harrison in 1840 
and for Clay in 1844. He made his first 
speech in congress on the Oregon question, 
and immediately took rank with the greatest 
debaters of that body. In 1853 he was 
elected to the United States senate, and 
again in 1859, but when his native state 
seceded he resigned his seat in the senate 
and was elected to the Confederate con- 
gress. It is stated on the best authority 
that had it not been for a misunderstanding 
which could not be explained till too late he 
would have been elected president of the 
Confederacy. He was appointed secretary 
of state by President Davis, but resigned 
after a few months and was commissioned 
brigadier-general in the Confederate army. 
He won distinction at the second battle of 
Bull Run and at Sharpsburg, but resigned 
his commission soon after and returned to 
Georgia. He organized the militia of 
Georgia to resist Sherman, and was made 



brigadier-general of the state troops. He 
left the country at the close of the war and 
did not return until 1867. He died Decem- 
ber 15, 1885. 

AUSTIN CORBIN, one of the greatest 
railway magnates of the United States, 
was born July 11, 1827, at Newport, New 
Hampshire. He studied law with Chief 
Justice Gushing and Governor Ralph Met- 
calf, and later took a course in the Harvard 
Law School, where he graduated in 1849. 
He was admitted to the bar, and practiced 
law, with Governor Metcalf as his partner, 
until October 12, 185 1. Mr. Corbin then 
removed to Davenport, Iowa, where he re- 
mained until 1S65. In 1854 he was a part- 
ner in the banking firm of Macklot & Cor- 
bin, and later he organized the First Na- 
tional bank of Davenport, Iowa, which 
commenced business June 29, 1863, and 
which was the first national bank open for 
business in the United States. Mr. Corbin 
sold out his business in the Davenport bank, 
and removed to New York in 1 865 and com- 
menced business with partners under the 
style of Corbin Banking Company. Soon 
after his removal to New York he became 
interested in railroads, and became one of 
the leading railroad men of the country. 
The development of the west half of Coney 
Island as a summer resort first brought him 
into general prominence. He built a rail- 
road from New York to the island, and 
built great hotels on its ocean front. He 
next turned his attention to Long Island, 
and secured all the railroads and consoli- 
dated them under one management, became 
president of the system, and under his con- 
trol Long Island became the great ocean 
suburb of New York. His latest public 
achievement was the rehabilitation of the 
Reading Railroad, of Pennsylvania, and 



20G 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHr. 



during the same time he and his friends 
purchased the controlHng interest of the 
New Jersey Central Railroad. He took it 
out of the hands of the receiver, and in 
three years had it on a dividend-paying 
basis. Mr. Corbin's death occurred June 
4> 1896. 

JAMES GORDON BENNETT, Sr., 
was one of the greatest journalists of 
America in his day. He was born Septem- 
ber I, 1795, at New Mill, near Keith, Scot- 
land. At the age of fourteen he was sent 
to Aberdeen to study for the priesthood, 
but, convinced that he was mistaken in his 
vocation, he determined to emigrate. He 
landed at Halifax, Nova Scotia, in 18 19, 
where he attempted to earn a living by 
teaching bookkeeping. Failing in this he 
went to Boston and found employment as a 
proof reader. Mr. Bennett went to New 
York about 1822 and wrote for the news- 
papers. Later on he became assistant 
editor in the office of the "Charleston 
Courier, "but returned to New York in 1824 
and endeavored to start a commercial 
school, but was unsuccessful in this, and 
again returned to newspaper work. He 
continued in newspaper work with varying 
success until, at his suggestion, the "En- 
quirer" was consolidated with another 
paper, and became the "Courier and En- 
quirer," with James Watson Webb as 
editor and Mr. Bennett for assistant. At 
this time this was the leading American 
newspaper. He, however, severed his con- 
nection with this newspaper and tried, 
without success, other ventures in the line 
of journalism until May 6, 1835, when he 
issued the first number of the "New York 
Herald." Mr. Bennett wrote the entire 
paper, and made up for lack of news by his 
own imagination. The paper became popu- 



lar, and in 1838 he engagt,d European jour- 
nalists as regular correspondents. In 1841 
the income derived from his paper was at 
least one hundred thousand dollars. Dur- 
ing the Civil war the " Herald " had on its 
staff sixty-three war correspondents and the 
circulation was doubled. Mr. Bennett was 
interested with John W. Mackay in that great 
enterprise which is now known as the Mac- 
kay-Bennett Cable. He had collected for use 
in his paper over fifty thousand biographies, 
sketches and all manner of information re- 
garding every well-known man, which are 
still kept in the archives of the "Herald" 
office. He died in the city of New York in 
1872, and left to his son, James Gordon, 
Jr. , one of the greatest and most profitable 
journals in the United States, or even in the 
world. 

OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES, a 
noted American, won distinction in the 
field of literature, in which he attained a 
world-wide reputation. He was born at 
Cambridge, Massachusetts, August 29, 1809. 
He received a collegiate education and grad- 
uated from Harvard in 1829, at the age of 
twenty, and took up the study of law and 
later studied medicine. Dr. Holmes at- 
tended several years in the hospitals of 
Europe and received his degree in 1836. 
He became professor of anatomy and phys- 
iology in Dartmouth in 1838, and re- 
mained there until 1847, when he was 
called to the Massachusetts Medical School 
at Boston to occupy the same chair, which 
position he resigned in 1882. The first 
collected edition of his poems appeared in 
1836, and his "Phi Beta Kappa Poems," 
"Poetry," in 1836; "Terpsichore," in 1843; 
"Urania," in 1846, and "Astrasa," won for 
him many fresh laurels. His series of 
papers in the "Atlantic Monthlj'," were: 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 



207 



"Autocrat of the Breakfast Table," "Pro- 
fessor at the Breakfast Table," "Poet at 
the Breakfast Table," and are a series of 
masterly wit, humor and pathos. Among 
hismedical papers and addresses, are: "Cur- 
rents and Counter-currents in the Medical 
Science," and "Borderland in Some Prov- 
inces of Medical Science." Mr. Holmes 
edited quite a number of works, of which 
we quote the following: "Else Venner, " 
"Songs in Many Keys," "Soundings from 
the Atlantic," "Humorous Poems," "The 
Guardian Angel," "Mechanism in Thoughts 
and Morals," "Songs of Many Seasons," 
"John L. Motley" — a memoir, "The Iron 
Gate and Other Poems," "Ralph Waldo 
Emerson," "A Moral Antipathy." Dr. 
Holmes visited England for the second time, 
and while there the degree of LL. D. 
was conferred upon him by the University 
of Edinburgh. His death occurred October 
7. 1894- 

RUFUS CHOATE, one of the most em- 
inent of America's great lawyers, was 
born October i, 1799, at Essex, Massachu- 
setts. He entered Dartmouth in 18 15, 
and after taking his degree he remained as 
a teacher in the college for one year. He 
took up the study of law in Cambridge, and 
subsequently studied under the distinguished 
lawyer, Mr. Wirt, who was then United 
States attorney-general at Washington. Mr. 
Choatebegan the practice of law in Danvers, 
Massachusetts, and from there he went to 
Salem, and afterwards to Boston, Massa- 
chusetts. While living at Salem he was 
elected to congress in 1832, and later, in 
1 841, he was chosen United States senator 
to succeed Daniel Webster, Mr. Webster 
having been appointed secretary of state 
under William Henry Harrison. 

After the death of Webster. Mr- Choate 



was the acknowledged leader of the Massa- 
chusetts bar, and was looked upon by the 
younger members of the profession with an 
affection that almost amounted to a rever- 
ence. Mr. Choate's powers as an orator 
were of the rarest order, and his genius 
made it possible for him to enchant and in- 
terest his listeners, even while discussing the 
most ordinary theme. He was not merely 
eloquent on the subjects that were calculated 
to touch the feelings and stir the passions 
of his audience in themselves, but could at 
all times command their attention. He re- 
tired from active life in 1858, and was on 
his way to Europe, his physician having 
ordered a sea voyage for his health, but had 
only reached Halifax, Nova Scotia, when 
he died, July 13, 1858. 



D WIGHT L. MOODY, one of the most 
noted and effective pulpit orators and 
evangelists America has produced, was born 
in Northfield, Franklin county, Massachu- 
setts, February 5, 1837. He received but 
a meager education and worked on a farm 
until seventeen years of age, when he be- 
came clerk in a boot and shoe store in 
Boston. Soon after this he joined the Con- 
gregational church and went to Chicago, 
where he zealously engaged in missionary 
work among the poor classes. He met 
with great success, and in less than a year 
he built up a Sunday-school which numbered 
over one thousand children. When the 
war broke out he became connected with 
what was known as the "Christian Com- 
mission," and later became city missionary 
of the Young Men's Christian Association at 
Chicago. A church was built there for his 
converts and he became its unordained pas- 
tor. In the Chicago fire of 1871 the church 
and Mr. Moody's house and furniture, which 
had been given him, were destroyed. The 



208 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 



church edifice was afterward replaced by a 
new church erected on the site of the old 
one. In 1873, accompanied by Ira D. 
Sankey, Mr. Moody went to Europe and 
excited great religious awakenings through- 
out England, Ireland and Scotland. In 
1875 they returned to America and held 
large meetings in various cities. They 
afterward made another visit to Great 
Britain for the same purpose, meeting with 
great success, returning to the United States 
in 1884. Mr. Moody afterward continued 
his evangelistic work, meeting everywhere 
with a warm reception and success. Mr. 
Moody produced a number of works, some 
of which had a wide circulation. 



JOHN PIERPONT MORGAN, a financier 
of world-wide reputation, and famous 
as the head of one of the largest banking 
houses in the world, was born April 17, 
1837, at Hartford, Connecticut. He re- 
ceived his early education in the English 
high school, in Boston, and later supple- 
mented this with a course in the University 
of Gottingen, Germany. He returned to 
the United States, in 1857, and entered the 
banking firm of Duncan, Sherman & Co., 
of New York, and, in i860, he became 
agent and attorney, in the United States, for 
George Peabody & Co., of London. He 
became the junior partner in the banking 
firm of Dabney, Morgan & Co., in 1864, 
and that of Drexel, Morgan & Co., in 1871. 
This house was among the chief negotiators 
of railroad bonds, and was active in the re- 
organization of the West Shore Railroad, 
and its absorption by the New York Central 
Railroad. It was conspicuous in the re- 
organization of the Philadelphia & Read- 
ing Railroad, in 1887, which a syndicate of 
capitalists, formed by Mr. Morgan, placed 
on a sound financial basis. After that time 



many other lines of railroad and gigantic 
financial enterprises were brought under Mr. 
Morgan's control, and in some respects it 
maybe said he became the foremost financier 
of the century. 



THOMAS BRACKETT REED, one of 
the most eminent of American states- 
men, was born October 18, 1839, at Port- 
land, Maine, where he received his early 
education in the common schools of the 
city, and prepared himself for college. Mr. 
Reed graduated from Bowdoin College in 
i860, and won one of the highest honors of 
the college, the prize for excellence in Eng- 
lish composition. The following four years 
were spent by him in teaching and in the 
study of law. Before his admission to the 
bar, however, he was acting assistant pay- 
master in the United States navy, and 
served on the " tin-clad" Sybil, which pa- 
trolled the Tennessee, Cumberland and 
Mississippi rivers. After his discharge in 
1865, he returned to Portland, was admit- 
ted to the bar, and began the practice of his 
profession. He entered into political life, 
and in 1868 was elected to the legislature 
of Maine as a Republican, and in 1869 he 
was re-elected to the house, and in 1870 
was made state senator, from which he 
passed to attorney-general of the state. 
He retired from this office in 1873, and 
until 1877 he was solicitor for the city 
of Portland. In 1876 he was elected to 
the forty-fifth congress, which assembled 
in 1877. Mr. Reed sprung into prominence 
in that body by one of the first speeches 
which he delivered, and his long service in 
congress, coupled with his ability, gave him 
a national reputation. His influence each 
year became more strongly marked, and the 
leadership of his party was finally conceded 
to him, and in the forty-ninth and fiftieth 



COMPENDIWM OF BIOGRAPHY 



209 



congresses the complimentary nomination 
for the speakership was tendered him by the 
Republicans. That party having obtained 
the ascendency in the fifty-first congress he 
was elected speaker on the first ballot, and 
he was again chosen speaker of the fifty- 
fourth and fifth-fifth congresses. As a 
writer, Mr. Reed contributed largely to the 
magazines and periodicals, and his book 
upon parliamentary rules is generally rec- 
ognized as authority on that subject. 



CLARA BARTON is a celebrated char- 
acter among what might be termed as 
the highest grade of philanthropists Amer- 
ica has produced. She was born on a farm 
at Oxford, Massachusetts, a daughter of 
Captain Stephen Barton, and was educated 
at Clinton, New York. She engaged in 
teaching early in life, and founded a free 
school at Bordentown, the first in New Jer- 
sey. She opened with six pupils, but the 
attendance had grown to six hundred up to 
1854, when she went to Washington. She 
was appointed clerk in the patent depart- 
ment, and remained there until the out- 
break of the Civil war, when she resigned 
her position and devoted herself to the al- 
leviation of the sufferings of the soldiers, 
serving, not in the hospitals, but on the bat- 
tle field. She was present at a number of 
battles, and after the war closed she origi- 
nated, and for some time carried on at her 
own expense, the search for missing soldiers. 
She then for several years devoted her time 
to lecturing on "Incidents of the War." 
About 1868 she went to Europe for her 
health, and settled in Switzerland, but on the 
outbreak of the Franco-German war she ac- 
cepted the invitation of the grand duchess 
of Baden to aid in the establishment of her 
hospitals, an<! Miss Barton afterward fol- 
lowed the German army She was deco- 



rated with the golden cross by the grand 
duke of Baden, and with the iron cross by 
the emperor of Germany. She also served 
for many years as president of the famous 
Red Cross Society and attamed a world- 
wide reputation. 



CARDINAL JAMES GIBBONS, one of 
the most eminent Catholic clergymen 
in America, was born in Baltmiore, Mary- 
land, July 23, 1834. He was give.n a 
thorough education, graduated at St. Charles 
College, Maryland, in 1857, and studied 
theology in St. Mary's Seminary, Baltimore, 
Maryland. In 1861 he became pastor of 
St. Bridget's church in Baltimore, and in 
1868 was consecrated vicar apostolic of 
North Carolina. In 1872 our subject be- 
came bishop of Richmond, Virginia, and 
five years later was made archbishop of Bal- 
timore. On the 30th of June, i885, he 
was admitted to the full degree of cardmal 
and primate of the American Catholic 
church. He was a fluent writer, and his 
book, "Faith of Our Fathers,' had a wide 
circulation. 

CHAUNCEY MITCHELL DEPEW.— 
This name is, without doubt, one of 
the most widely known in the United States. 
Mr. Depew was born April 23, 1834, at 
Peekskill, New York, the home of the Depew 
family for two hundred years. He attended 
the common schools of his native place, 
where he prepared himself to enter college. 
He began his collegiate course at Yale at 
the age of eighteen and graduated in 1856. 
He early took an active interest in politics 
and joined the Republican party at its for- 
matidn. He then took up the study of law 
and went into the office of the Hon. Will- 
iam Nelson, of Peekskill, for that purpose, 
and in 1858 he was admitted to the bar. 



210 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 



He vvas sent as a delegate by the new party 
to the Republican state convention of that 
year. He began the practice of his profes- 
sion in 1859, but though he was a good 
worker, his attention was detracted by the 
campaign of i860, in which he took an act- 
ive part. During this campaign he gained 
his first laurels as a public speaker. Mr. 
Depew was elected assemblyman in 1862 
from a Democratic district. In 1863 he se- 
cured the nomination for secretary of state, 
and gained that post by a majority of thirty 
thousand. In 1866 he left the field of pol- 
itics and entered into the active practice 
of his law business as attorney for the 
New York & Harlem Railroad Company, 
and in 1869 when this road was consoli- 
dated with the New York Central, and 
called the New .York Central & Hudson 
River Railroad, he was appointed the attor- 
ney for the new road. His rise in the rail- 
road business was rapid, and ten years after 
his entrance into the Vanderbilt system as 
attorney for a single line, he was the gen- 
eral counsel for one of the largest railroad 
systems in the world. He was also a 
director in the Lake Shore & Michigan 
Southern, Michigan Central, Chicago & 
Northwestern, St. Paul & Omaha, West 
Shore, and Nickel Plate railroad companies. 
In 1874 Mr. Depew was made regent of 
the State University, and a member of the 
commission appointed to superintend the 
erection of the capitol at Albany. In 1882, 
on the resignation of W. H. Vanderbilt 
from the presidency of the New York Cen- 
tral and the accession to that office by 
James H. Rutter, Mr. Depew was made 
second vice-president, and held that posi- 
tion until the death of Mr. Rutter in 1885. 
In this year Mr. Depew became the execu- 
tive head of this great corporation. Mr. 
Depew's greatest fame grew from his ability 



and eloquence as an orator and " after-din- 
ner speaker, " and it has been said by emi- 
nent critics that this country has never pro- 
duced his equal in wit, fluency and eloquence. 



PHILIP KEARNEY.— Among the most 
dashing and brilliant commanders in 
the United States service, few have outshone 
the talented officer whose name heads this 
sketch. He was born in New York City, 
June 2, 181S, and was of Irish ancestry and 
imbued with all the dash and bravery of the 
Celtic race. He graduated from Columbia 
College and studied law, but in 1837 ac- 
cepted a commission as lieutenant in the 
First United States Dragoons, of which his 
uncle, Stephen W. Kearney, was then colo- 
nel. He was sent by the government, 
soon after, to Europe to examine and report 
upon the tactics of the French cavalry. 
There he attended the Polytechnic School, 
at Samur, and subsequently served as a vol- 
unteer in Algiers, winning the cross of the 
Legion of Honor. He returned to the 
United States in 1840, and on the staf? of 
General Scott, in the Mexican war, served 
with great gallantry. He was made a cap- 
tain of dragoons in 1846 and made major 
for services at Contreras and Cherubusco. 
In the final assault on the City of Mexico 
at the San Antonio Gate, Kearney lost an 
arm. He subsequently served in California 
and the Pacific coast. In 1851 he resigned 
his commission and went to Europe, where 
he resumed his military studies. In the 
Italian war, in 1859, he served as a volun- 
teer on the stafT of General Maurier, of the 
French armj', and took part in the battles 
of Solferino and Magenta, and for bravery 
was, for the second time, decorated with 
the cross of the Legion of Honor. On the 
opening of the Civil war he Hastened home, 
and, offering his services to the general gov- 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 



211 



ernir.enf, was made brigadier-general of 
volunteers and placed in command of a bri- 
gade of New Jersey troops. In the cam- 
paign under McClellan he commanded a di- 
vision, 'and at Williamsburg and Fair Oaks 
his services were valuable and brilliant, as 
well as in subsequent engagements. At 
Harrison's Landing he was made major-gen- 
eral of volunteers. In the second battle of 
Bull Run he was conspicuous, and at the 
battle of Chantilly, September i, 1862, 
while leading in advance of his troops, Gen- 
eral Kearney was shot and killed. 



RUSSELL SAGE, one of the financial 
giants of the present century and for 
more than an average generation one of the 
most conspicuous and celebrated of Ameri- 
cans, was born in a frontier hamlet in cen- 
tral New York in August, 18 16. While Rus- 
sell was still a boy an elder brother, Henry 
Risley Sage, established a small grocery 
store at Troy, New York, and here Russell 
found his first employment, as errand boy. 
He served a five-years apprenticeship, and 
then joined another brother, Elisha M. Sage, 
in a new venture in the same line, which 
proved profitable, at least for Russell, who 
soon became its sole owner. Next he 
formed the partnership of Sage & Bates, 
and greatly extended his field of operations. 
At twenty-five he had, by his own exertions, 
amassed what was, in those days, a consid- 
erable fortune, being worth about seventy- 
five thousand dollars. He had acquired an 
influence in local politics, and four years 
later his party, the Whigs, elected him to 
the aldermanic board of Troy and to the 
treasuryship of Rensselaer county. In 1848 
he was a prominent member of the New 
York delegation to the Whig convention at 
Philadelphia, casting his first votes for Henry 
Clay, but joining the "stampede" which 



nominated Zachary Taylor. In 1850 the 
Whigs of Troy nominated him for congress, 
but he was not elected — a failure which he 
retrieved two years later, and in 1854 he 
was re-elected by a sweeping majority. At 
Washington he ranked high in influence and 
ability. Fame as a speaker and as a polit- 
ical leader was within his grasp, when he 
gave up public- life, declined a renomination 
to congress, and went back to Troy to de- 
vote himself to his private business. Six 
years later, in 1863, he removed to New 
York and plunged into the arena of Wall 
street. A man of boundless energy and 
tireless pertinacity, with wonderful judg- 
ment of men and things, he soon took his 
place as a king in finance, and, it is said, 
during the latter part of his life he con- 
trolled more ready money than any other 
single individual on this continent. 



ROGER QUARLES MILLS, a noted 
United States senator and famous as the 
father of the "Mills tariff bill, " was born 
in Todd county, Kentucky, March 30, 1832. 
He received a liberal education in the com- 
mon schools, and removed to Palestine, 
Texas, in 1849. He took up the study of 
law, and supported himself by serving as an 
assistant in the post-office, and in the offices 
of the court clerks. In 1850 he was elected 
engrossing clerk of the Texas house of rep- 
resentatives, and in 1852 was admitted to 
the bar, while still a minor, by special act 
of the legislature. He then settled at Cor- 
sicana, Texas, and began the active prac- 
tice of his profession. He was elected to 
the state legislature in 1859, and in 1872 he 
was elected to congress from the state at 
large, as a Democrat. After his first elec- 
tion he was continuously returned to con- 
gress until he resigned to accept the posi- 
tion of United States senator, to which he 



212 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 



was elected March 23, 1892, to succeed 
Hon. Horace Chilton. He took his seat in 
the senate March 30, 1 892 ; was afterward 
re-elected and ranked among the most use- 
ful and prominent members of that body. 
In 1876 he opposed the creation qf the elec- 
toral commission, and in 1887 canvassed 
the state of Texas against the adoption of 
a prohibition amendnient to its constitution, 
which was defeated. He introduced into 
the house of representatives the bill that was 
known as the "Mills Bill," reducing duties 
on imports, and extending the free list. 
The bill passed the house on July 21, 1888, 
and made the name of "Mills" famous 
throughout the entire country. 



H.AZEN S. PINGREE, the celebrated 
Michigan political leader, was born in 
Maine in 1842. Up to fourteen years of 
age he worked hard on the stony ground of 
his father's small farm. Attending school 
in the winter, he gained a fair education, 
and when not laboring on the farm, he 
found employment in the cotton mills in the 
vicinity. He resolved to find more steady 
work, and accordingly went to Hopkinton, 
Massachusetts, where he entered a shoe fac- 
tory, but on the outbreak of the war he en- 
listed at once and was enrolled in the First 
Massachusetts Heavy Artillery. He partici- 
pated in the battle of Bull Run, which was 
his initial fight, and served creditably his 
early term of service, at the expiration of 
which he re-enlisted. He fought in the 
battles of Fredricksburg, Harris Farm, 
Spottsylvania Court House and Cold Har- 
bor. In 1864 he was captured by Mosby, 
and spent five months at Andersonville, 
Georgia, as a prisoner, but escaped at the 
end of that time. He re-entered the service 
and participated in the battles of Fort 
Fisher, Boyden, and Sailor's Creek. He 



was honorably mustered out of service, and 
in 1866 went to Detroit, Michigan, where 
he made use of his former experience in a 
shoe factory, and found work. Later he 
formed a p^irtnership with another workman 
and started a small factory, which has since 
become a large establishment. Mr. Pin- 
gree made his entrance into politics in 1889, 
in which year he was elected by a surpris- 
ingly large majority as a Republican to the 
mayoralt}' of Detroit, in which ofSce he was 
the incumbent during four consecutive terms. 
In November, 1896, he was elected gov- 
ernor of the state of Michigan. While 
mayor of Detroit, Mr. Pingree originated 
and put into execution the idea of allowing 
the poor people of the city the use of va- 
cant city lands and lots for the purpose of 
raising potatoes. The idea was enthusiast- 
ically adopted by thousandsof poor families, 
attracted wide attention, and gave its author 
a national reputation as "Potato-patch Pin- 
gree." 

THOMAS ANDREW HENDRICKS, an 
eminent American statesman and a 
Democratic politician of national fame, was 
born in Muskingum county, Ohio, Septem- 
ber 7, 1819. In 1822 he removed, with his 
father, to Shelby county, Indiana. He 
graduated from the South Hanover College 
in 1 841, and two years later was admitted 
to the bar. In 1851 he was chosen a mem- 
ber of the state constitutional convention, 
and took a leading part in the deliberations 
of that body. He was elected to congress 
in 185 1, and after serving two terms was 
appointed commissioner of the United States 
general land-office. In 1863 he was elected 
to the United States senate, where his dis- 
tinguished services commanded the respect 
of all parties. He was elected governor of 
Indiana in 1872, serving four years, and in 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 



213 



1876 was nominated by the Democrats as 
candidate for the vice-presidency with Til- 
den. The returns in a number of states 
were contested, and resulted in the appoint- 
ment of the famous electoral commission, 
which decided in favor of the Republican 
candidates. In 1884 Mr. Hendricks was 
again nominated as candidate for the vice- 
presidency, by the Democratic party, on the 
ticket with Grover Cleveland, was elected, 
and served about six months. He died at 
Indianapolis, November 25, 1885. He was 
regarded as one of the brainiest men in the 
party, and his integrity was never ques- 
tioned, even by his political opponents. 



GARRETT A. HOBART, one of the 
many able men who have held the 
high office of vice-president of the United 
States, was born June 3, 1844, in Mon- 
mouth county, New Jersey, and in i860 en- 
tered the sophomore class at Rutgers Col- 
lege, from which he graduated in 1863 at 
the age of nineteen. He then taught 
school until he entered the law office of 
Socrates Tuttle, of Paterson, New Jersey, 
with whom he studied law. and in 1869 
was admitted to the bar. He immediately 
began the active practice of his profession 
in the office of the above named gentleman. 
He became interested in political life, and 
espoused the cause of the Republican party, 
and in 1865 held his first office, serving as 
clerk for the grand jury. He was also city 
counsel of Paterson in 1871, and in May, 
1872, was elected counsel for the board of 
chosen freeholders. He entered the state 
legislature in 1873, and was re-elected to 
the assembly in 1874. Mr. Hobart was 
made speaker of the assembly in 1876, and 
and in 1879 was elected to the state senate. 
After serving three years in the same, he 
was elected president of that body in 1881, 



and the following year was re-elected to 
that office. He was a delegate-at -large to 
the Republican national convention in 1876 
and 1880, and was elected a member of the 
national committee in 1884, which pos-tion 
he occupied continuously until 1896. He 
was then nominated for vice-president by 
the Republican national convention, anH 
was elected to that office in the fall of 1896 
on the ticket with William McKinley. 



WILLIAM MORRIS STEWART, noted 
as a political leader and senator, was 
born in Lyons, Wayne county. New York, 
August 9, 1827, and removed with his par- 
ents while still a small child to Mesopota- 
mia township, Trumbull county, Ohio. He 
attended the Lyons Union school and Farm- 
ington Academy, where he obtained his ed- 
ucation. Later he taught mathematics in 
the former school, while yet a pupil, and 
with the little money thus earned and the 
assistance of James C. Smith, one of the 
judges of the supreme court of New York, 
he entered Yale College. He remained 
there until the winter of 1849-50, when, at- 
tracted by the gold discoveries in California 
he wended his way thither. He arrive(I at 
San Francisco in May, 1850, and later en- 
gaged in mining with pick and shovel in Ne- 
vada county. In this way he accumulated 
some money, and in the spring of 1852 he 
took up the study of law under John R. 
McConnell. The following December he 
was appointed district attorney, to which 
office he was chosen at the general election 
of the next year. In 1854 he was ap- 
pointed attorney-general of California, and 
in i860 he removed to Virginia City, Ne- 
vada, where he largely engaged in early 
mining litigation. Mr. Stewart was also in- 
terested in the development of the "Corn- 
stock lode," and in 1861 was chosen a 



214 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 



'membei of the territorial council. He was 
elected a member of the constitutional con- 
vention in 1863, and was elected United 
States senator in 1864, and re-elected in 
1869. At the expiration of his term in 
1875, he resumed the practice of law in 
Nevada, California, and the Pacific coast 
generally. He was thus engaged when he 
was elected again to the United States sen- 
ate as a Republican in 1887 to succeed the 
late James G. Fair, a Democrat, and took 
his seat March 4, 1887. On the expiration 
of his term he was again re-elected and be- 
came one of the leaders of his party in con- 
gress. His ability as an orator, and the 
prominent part he took in the discussion of 
public questions, gained him a national rep- 
utation. 

GEORGE GRAHAM VEST, for many 
years a prominent member of the 
United States senate, was born in Frank- 
fort, Kentucky, December 6, 1848. He 
graduated from Center College in 1868, and 
from the law department of the Transyl- 
vania University of Lexington, Kentucky, 
in 1853. In the same year he removed to 
Misgouri and began the practice of his pro- 
fession, la 1 860 he was an elector on the 
Democratic ticket, and was a member of 
the lower house of the Missouri legislature 
in 1860-61. He was elected to the Con- 
federate congress, serving two years in the 
lower house and one in the senate. He 
then resumed the practice of law, and in 
1 879 was elected to the senate of the United 
States to succeed James Shields. He was 
re-elected in 1885, and again in 1891 and 
1897. His many years of service in the 
National congress, coupled with his ability 
as a speaker and the active part he took in 
the discussion of public questions, gave him 
a wide reputation. 



HANNIBAL HAMLIN, a noted American 
statesman, whose name is indissolubly 
connected with the history of this country, 
was born in Paris, Maine, August 27, 1809. 
He learned the printer's trade and followed 
that calling for several years. He then 
studied law, and was admitted to practice 
in 1833. He was elected to the legislature 
of the state of Maine, where he was several 
times chosen speaker of the lower house. 
He was elected to congress by the Demo- 
crats in 1843, and re-elected in 1845. In 
1848 he was chosen to the United States 
senate and served in that body until 1861. 
He was elected governor of Maine in 1857 
on the Republican ticket, but resigned when 
re-elected to the United States senate 
the same year. He was elected vice-presi- 
dent of the United States on the ticket with 
Lincoln in i860, and inaugurated in March, 
1861. In 1865 he was appointed collector 
of the port of Boston. Beginning with 
1869 he served two six-year terms in the 
United States senate, and was then ap- 
pointed by President Garfield as minister to 
Spain in 1881. His death occurred July 4, 
1891. 

TSHAM G. HARRIS, famous as Confed- 
1 erate war governor of Tennessee, and 
distinguished by his twenty years of service 
in the senate of the United States, was 
born in Franklin county, Tennessee, and 
educated at the Academy of Winchester. 
He then took up the study of law, was ad- 
mitted to the bar, and commenced practice 
at Paris, Tennessee, in 1841. He was 
elected to the state legislature in 1847, was 
a candidate for presidential elector on the 
Democralic ticket in 1848, and the next 
year was elected to congress from his dis- 
trict, and re-elected in 1851. In 1853 he 
was renominated by the Democrats of his 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 



215 



district, but declined, and removed to Mem- 
phis, where he took up the practice of law. 
He was a presidential elector-at-large from 
Tennessee in 1856, and was elected gov- 
ernor of the state the next year, and again 
in 1859, and in 1861. He was driven from 
Nashville by the advance of the Union 
armies, and for the last three years of the 
war acted as aid upon the staff of the com- 
manding general of the Confederate army 
of Tennessee. After the war he went to 
Liverpool, England, where he became a 
merchant, but returned to Memphis in 1867, 
and resumed the practice of law. In 1877 
he was elected to the United States senate, 
to which position he was successively re- 
elected until his death in 1897. 



NELSON DINGLEY, Jr., for nearly a 
quarter of a century one of the leaders 
in congress and framer of the famous 
" Dingley tariff bill," was born in Durham, 
Maine, in 1832. His father as well as all 
his ancestors, were farmers, merchants and 
mechanics and of English descent. Young 
Dingley was given the advantages first of 
the common schools and in vacations helped 
his father in the store and on the farm. 
When twelve years of age he attended high 
school and at seventeen was teaching in a 
country school district and preparing him- 
self for college. The following year he en- 
tered Waterville Academy and in 185 1 en- 
tered Colby University. After a year and a 
half in this institution he entered Dart- 
mouth College and was graduated in 1855 
with high rank as a scholar, debater and 
writer. He next studied law and was ad- 
mitted to the bar in 1856. But instead of 
practicing his profession he purchased the 
" Lewistown (Me.) Journal," which be- 
came famous throughout the New England 
states as a leader in the advocacy of Repub- 



lican principles. About the same time Mr. 
Dingley began his political career, although 
ever after continuing at the head of the 
newspaper. He was soon elected to the ■ 
state legislature and afterward to the lower 
house of congress, where he became a 
prominent national character. He also 
served two terms as governor of Maine. 



OLIVER PERRY MORTON, a distin- 
guished American statesman, was born 
in Wayne county, Indiana, August 4, 1823. 
His early education was by private teaching 
and a course at the Wayne County Seminary. 
At the age of twenty years he entered the 
Miami University at Oxford, Ohio, and at 
the end of two years quit the college, began 
the study of law in the office of John New- 
man, of Centerville, Indiana, and was ad- 
mitted to the bar in 1847. 

Mr. Morton was elected judge on the 
Democratic ticket, in 1852, but on thi 
passage of the " Kansas-Nebraska Bill" he 
severed his connection with that party, and 
soon became a prominent leader of the Re- 
publicans. He was elected governor of In- 
diana in 1 86 1, and as war governor became 
well known throughout the country. He 
received a paralytic stroke in 1865, which 
partially deprived him of the use of his 
limbs. He was chosen to the United States 
senate from Indiana, in 1867, and wielded 
great influence in that body until the time 
of his death, November i, 1877. 



JOHN B. GORDON, a brilliant Confeder- 
ateofficer and noted senatoroftheUnited 
States, was born in Upson county, Georgia, 
February 6, 1832. He graduated from the 
State University, studied law, and took up 
the practice of his profession. At the be- 
ginning of the war he entered the Confederate 
service as captain of infantry, and rapidly 



216 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 



rose to the rank of lieutenant-general, 
commanding one wing of the Confederate 
army at the close of the war. In 1868 he 
was Democratic candidate for governor of 
Georgia, and it is said was elected by a large 
majority, but his opponent was given the 
office. He was a delegate to the national 
Democratic conventions in 1868 and 1872, 
and a presidential elector both years. In 
1873 he was elected to the United States 
senate. In 1886 he was elected governor 
of Georgia, and re-elected in 1888. He 
was again elected to the United States 
senate in 1890, serving until 1897, when he 
was succeeded by A. S. Clay. He was 
regarded as a leader of the southern Democ- 
racy, and noted for his fiery eloquence. 



STEPHEN JOHNSON FIELD, an illus- 
trious associate justice of the supreme 
court of the United States, was born at 
Haddam, Connecticut, November 4, 18 16, 
being one of the noted sons of Rev. D. 
D. Field. He graduated from Williams 
College in 1837, took up the study of law 
with his brother, David Dudley Field, be- 
coming his partner upon admission to the 
bar. He went to California in 1849, and at 
once began to take an active interest in the 
political affairs of that state. He was 
elected alcalde of Marysville, in 1850, and 
in the autumn of the same year was elected 
to the state legislature. In 1857 he was 
elected judge of the supreme court of the 
state, and two years afterwards became its 
chief justice. In 1863 he was appointed by 
President Lincoln as associate justice of the 
supreme court of the United States. During 
his incumbency, in 1873, he was appointed 
by the governor of California one of a com- 
mission to examine the codes of the state 
and for the preparation of amendments to 
the same for submission to the legislature. 



In 1877 he was one of the famous electoral 
commission of fifteen members, and voted 
as one of the seven favoring the election of 
Tilden to the presidency. In 1880 a large 
portion of the Democratic party favored his 
nomination as candidate for the presidency. 
He retired in the fall of 1897, having 
served a greater number of years on the 
supreme bench than any of his associates or 
predecessors. Chief Justice Marshall coming 
next in length of service. 



JOHN T. MORGAN, whose services in 
the United States senate brought him 
into national prominence, was born in 
Athens, Tennessee, June 20, 1824. At the 
age of nine years he emigrated to Alabama, 
where he made his permanent home, and 
where he received an academic education. 
He then took up the study of law, and was 
admitted to the bar in 1845. He took a 
leading part in local politics, was a presi- 
dential elector in i860, casting his ballot 
for Breckenridge and Lane, and in 1861 
was a delegate to the state convention which 
passed the ordinance of secession. In May, 
of the same year, he joined the Confederate 
army as a private in Company I, Cahawba 
Rifles, and was soon after made major and 
then lieutenant-colonel of the Fifth Regiment. 
In 1862 he was commissioned colonel, and 
soon after made brigadier-general and as- 
signed to the command of a brigade in Vir- 
ginia. He resigned to join his old regiment 
whose colonel had been killed. He was 
soon afterward again made brigadier-gen- 
eral and given command of the brigade that 
included his regiment. 

After the war he returned to the prac- 
tice of law, and continued it up to the time 
of his election to the United States senate, \v 
1877. He was a presidential elector in 1876 
and cast his vote for Tilden and Hendricks 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 



217 



He was re-elected to the senate in 1883, 
and again in 1889, and 1S95. His speeches 
and the measures he introduced, marked 
as they were by an intense Americanism, 
brought him into national prommence. 



WILLIAM Mckinley, the twenty-fifth 
president of the United States, was 
born at Niles, Trumbull county, Ohio, Jan- 
uary 29, 1844. He was of Scotch-Irish 
ancestry, and received his early education 
in a Methodist academy in the small village 
of Poland, Ohio. At the outbreak of the 
war Mr. McKinley was teaching school, 
earning twenty-five dollars per month. As 
soon as Fort Sumter was fired upon he en- 
listed in a company that was formed in 
Poland, which was inspected and mustered 
in by General John C. Fremont, who at 
first objected to Mr. McKinley, as being too 
young, but upon examination he was finally 
accepted. Mr. McKinley was seventeen 
when the war broke out but did not look his 
age. He served in the Twenty-third Ohio 
Infantry throughout the war, was promoted 
from sergeant to captain, for good conduct 
on the field, and at the close of the war, 
for meritorious services, he was brevetted 
major. After leaving the army Major Mc- 
Kinley took up the study of law, and was 
admitted to the bar, and in 1869 he took 
his initiation into politics, being elected pros- 
ecuting attorney of his county as a Republi- 
can, although the district was usually Demo- 
cratic. In 1 876 he was elected to congress, 
and in a call upon the President-elect, Mr. 
Hayes, to whom he went for advice upon the 
way he should shape his career, he was 
told that to achieve fame and success he 
must take one special line and stick to it. 
Mr. McKinley chose tariff legislation and 
he became an authority in regard to import 
duties. He was a member of congress for 



many years, became chairman of the ways 
and means committee, and later he advo- 
cated the famous tariff bill that bore his 
name, which was passed in 1S90. In the 
next election the Republican party was 
overwhelmingly defeated through the coun- 
try, and the Democrats secured more than 
a two thirds majority in the lower house, 
and also had control of the senate, Mr. 
McKinley being defeated in his own district 
by a small majority. He was elected gov- 
ernor of Ohio in 1 89 1 by a plurality of 
twenty-one thousand, five hundred and 
eleven, and two years later he was re-elected 
by the still greater plurality of eighty thou- 
sand, nine hundred and ninety-five. He was 
a delegate-at-large to the Minneapolis Re^ 
publican convention in 1892, and was in- 
structed to support the nomination of Mr. 
Harrison. He was chairman of the con^ 
vention, and was the only man from Ohio 
to vote for Mr. Harrison upon the roll call. 
In November, 1892, a number of prominent 
politicians gathered in New York to discuss 
the political situation, and decided that the 
result of the election had put an end to Mc- 
Kinley and McKinleyism. But in less than 
four years from that date Mr. McKinley was 
nominated for the presidency against the 
combined opposition of half a dozen rival 
candidates. Much of the credit for his suc- 
cess was due to Mark A. Hanna, of Cleve- 
land, afterward chairr.ian of the Republican 
national committee. At the election which 
occurred in November, 1896, Mr. McKinley 
was elected president of the United States 
by an enormous majority, on a gold stand- 
ard and protective tariff platform. He was 
inaugurated on the 4th of March, 1897, 
and called a special session of congress, to 
which was submitted a bill for tariff reform, 
which was passed in the latter part of July 
of that vear. 



218 



COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 



CINCINNATUS HEINE MILLER, 
known in the literary world as Joaquin 
Miller, "the poet of the Sierras," was born 
at Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1841. When only 
about thirteen years of age he ran away 
from home and went to the mining regions 
in California and along the Pacific coast. 
Some time afterward he was taken prisoner 
by the Modoc Indians and lived with them 
for five years. He learned their language 
and gained great influence with them, fight- 
ing in their wars, and in all modes of living 
became as one of them. In 1858 he left 
the Indians and went to San Francisco, 
where he studied law, and in i860 was ad- 
mitted to the bar in Oregon. In 1866 he 
was elected a county judge in Oregon and 
served four years. Early in the seventies 
he began devoting a good deal of time to 
literary pursuits, and about 1874 he settled 
in Washington, D. C. He wrote many 
poems and dramas that attracted consider- 
able attention and won him an extended 
reputation. Among his productions may be 
mentioned " Pacific Poems," " Songs of the 
Sierras," "Songs of the Sun Lands," 
' ' Ships in the Desert, " ' ' Adrianne, a Dream 
of Italy," " Danites," "Unwritten History," 
" First Families of the Sierras " (a novel), 
" One Fair Woman " (a novel), " Songs of 
Italy," "Shadows of Shasta," "The Gold- 
Seekers of the Sierras," and a number of 
others. 

GEORGE FREDERICK ROOT, a 
noted music publisher and composer, 
was born in Sheffield, Berkshire county, 
Massachusetts, on August 30, 1820. While 
working on his father's farm he found time 
to learn, unaided, several musical instru- 
ments, and in his eighteenth year he went 
to Boston, where he soon found employ- 
ment as a teacher of music. From 1839 



until 1844 he gave instructions in music in 
the public schools of that city, and was also 
director of music in two churches. Mr. 
Root then went to New York and taught 
music in the various educational institutions 
of the city. He went to Paris in 1850 and 
spent one year there in study, and on his re- 
turn he published his first song, "Hazel 
Dell." It appeared as the work of "Wur- 
zel," which was the German equivalent of 
his name. He was the originator of the 
normal musical institutions, and when the 
first one was started in New York he 
was one of the faculty. He removed to 
Chicago, Illinois, in i860, and established 
the firm of Root & Cady, and engaged in 
the publication of music. He received, in 
1872, the degree of "Doctor of Music" 
from the University of Chicago. After the 
war the firm became George F. Root & Co. , 
of Cincinnati and Chicago. Mr. Root did 
much to elevate the standard of music in this 
country by his compositions and work as a 
teacher. Besides his numerous songs he 
wrote a great deal of sacred music and pub- 
lished many collections of vocal and instru- 
mental music. For many years he was the 
most popular song writer in America, and 
was one of the greatest song writers of the 
war. He is also well-known as an author, 
and his work in that line comprises: " Meth- 
ods for the Piano and Organ," " Hand- 
book on Harmony Teaching, " and innumer- 
able articles for the musical press. Among 
his many and most popular songs of the 
war time are : ' ' Rosalie, the Prairie-flower, " 
" Battle Cry of Freedom," " Just Before the 
Battle," "Tramp, Tramp, Tramp, the Boys 
are Marching," " The Old Folks are Gone," 
"A Hundred Years Ago," "Old Potomac 
Shore, "and " There's Music in the Air." Mr. 
Root's cantatas include ' ' The Flower Queen" 
and "The Haymakers." He died in 1896. 



PART II 



BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



OF 



Calhoun County 



IOWA 





/ /e-u>-y^ 




BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



DANIEL J. TOWXSEXD, M. D. 

There are in every community men of 
great force of character and exceptional 
ability, who by reason of their capacity for 
leadership become recognized as foremost 
citizens, and bear a most important part in 
the development and progress of the locality 
with which they are connected. Such a man 
is Dr. Townsend, who is prominently identi- 
fied with the interests of Lohrville and sur- 
rounding country, having made his home 
here since the establishment of the town. 

The Doctor was born in Bureau county, 
Illinois, December 9, 1856, and is a son of 
John and Sarah J. (Valentine) Townsend, 
now living at Gowrie, Iowa. The father was 
"born in Vermont. January 18, 1826, and the 
mother in New York state, October 5, 1835. 
The former spent his early life in the Green 
Mountain state, and when he was twelve 
years of age his parents moved to Erie coun- 
ty, New York. He was married, IMay 15, 
1855. In the spring of 1856 he went west 
and located at Pond Creek, Bureau county, 
Illinois. He purchased a piece of land in 
Manlius township, of the same county, from 
the government, at two dollars and a half 
per acre, where he lived until the fall of 
1866, when he sold his Illinois possessions 
and came to Iowa. He rented a farm twelve 



miles south of Fort Dodge, near Tysons 
Mills, now known as Lehigh. One year later 
he entered a tract of river land on section 
9, Sunmer township, where he made his 
home for five years, and then purchased a 
farm near the village of Gowrie in the same 
county. He gave his time and attention to 
the improvement and cultivation of this 
place until his retirement from active labor, 
when he and his wife moved to the village 
where they now live. Although past the 
alloted span of life, they are still hale and 
hearty, and bid fair to live for many years 
yet, enjoying the esteem and respect of those 
who know them. 

The father served in Company K, Fifty- 
seventh Regiment, Illinois X^alunteers, in the 
war of the Rebellion. In his political views 
he has always been an ardent Republican, 
having cast his vote for Fremont in 1856, 
and has voted for every Republican candi- 
date for president since that time. Four 
children were bom to this family, the sub- 
ject of our sketch being the oldest. The 
others were : George E., a physisian resid- 
ing at Austin, Colorado ; Emmett E., a con- 
tractor at Fort Dodge, Iowa ; and Ellen E., 
who died at the age of thirty years, at Gow- 
rie, Iowa. 

Reared in Bureau county, Illinois, Dr. 
Townsend acquired his early education in its 



224 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



public schools, and after coming to Iowa 
he attended the public schools of Webster 
countv. He earned his first money when 
fourteen years old, driving a breaking team 
consisting of five yoke of oxen hitched to a 
twenty-eighth-inch breaking plow, in Lost 
Grove township, Webster county, his com- 
pensation for this work being eight dollars 
per month. The winter he was eighteen 
years of age he began teaching school. His 
first school was in a district where another 
teacher had failed and the school was consid- 
ered a hard one to handle, but he succeeded 
in controlling the incorrigibles so success- 
fully that the school board retained him at 
an advance in salary of ten dollars a month 
above the usual contract price, and at the end 
of the term the board re-employed him for 
the following year. He taught in all six- 
teen terms of school, including the prin- 
cipalship of the Dayton schools. 

During the time he was teaching he be- 
gan the study of medicine under the direc- 
tion of O. E. Evans, M. D., of Gowrie, 
Iowa. To the etticiency of the instruction 
and good advice of Dr. Evans, Dr. Town- 
send gives great credit for his success in his 
chosen profession. He attended a course of 
lectures at the College of Physicians, at 
Keokuk, during 1879-80, and afterward at- 
tending at Chicago and graduating at the 
College of Physicians and Surgeons, at Des 
Moines, March 4, 1887. Since graduating 
he has taken three courses in clinical med- 
icine and surgery. In the fall of 1887 he 
became a member of the Central District 
Medical Association, and in 1888 a member 
of the Iowa State Society. In 1890 he was 
a delegate from the State Medical Society 
to the American Medical Association, which 
met at Nashville, Tennessee ; was a delegate 
a second time to the American Association, 



at Atlanta, Georgia, in 1896; and again a 
third time, in 1901, the Anierican Associa- 
tion meeting that year laeing held at St. Paul,. 
Minnesota. He was one of the .delegates 
appointed by Governor Leslie M. Shaw to 
represent Iowa in the International Associa- 
tion, for the investigation of tuberculosis, 
at London, England, in July, 1901. 

On the 15th of May, 1884, Dr. Town- 
send was married to ]\Iyra M. Hawthorne, 
a native of Upper Kent, Carlton county, 
Xew Brunswick, and the daughter of George 
H. Hawthorne and wife. Dr. and Mrs. 
Townsend have four children, all living. 
Their names and dates of birth are as fol- 
lows : Blanche, December 8, 1885; Orville 
].. January 18, 1888; Irwin. February 3, 
1895 ; and Dewitt, July 14, 1899. 

Dr. Townsend has been identified with 
almost the entire growth and development of 
Lohrville; there was but one building, and 
that a farm house, on the farm which is now 
the site of a live, thrifty town, when he lo- 
cated here. On Thanksgiving day of 1881 
he was one of a party of eight — all strangers 
— who met at Gowrie and were anxious to 
come to Lohrville. As there were no trains 
running they secured permission to use a 
handcar, on which they all crowded and 
worked their passage westward. This little 
party consisted of two physicians, two mer- 
chants, two harnessmakers, one lawyer and 
one blacksmith, all of >vhom located at Lohr- 
ville, except one of the harnessmakers, and 
four of them still make their homes here. 
They are Drs. Townsend and Craig and 
Attorneys Towers and J. M. Stephens. J. 
J. Flanigan erected the first building in 
Lohrville and occupied it as a saloon. It is 
now owned by Mrs. Quinn and is occupied 
as a restaurant by M. O. Wheatley. Enos 
Ralston soon after built the City Hotel and 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



225 



Joliii Morrisim Ijuilt a saloon wliere the 
Wilson House now stands. Tlic tlrst tire in 
Lohrville was tlie burning of Morrison's 
saloon in the fall of 1882. The buildings 
erected the first fall and winter the town 
was in existence in addition to those men- 
tioned were as follows : A hardware store 
and drug store, erected by L. W. Johnson ; 
a general store, by O. M. Hollingshead ; a 
meat market, by John Back ; a general store, 
hardware store and hotel, by A. W. Safely ; 
a general store, by Hopkins & Wilkinson ; 
a restaurant, by J. H. Griffin; a drug store, 
by J. \V. /■ llison ; a general store, by Adams 
& Drydcn ; a livery, by A. O. Garlock; a 
saloon, by William Baldwin; and a bank, 
by S. G. Crawford & Company. One of the 
queer combinations that sometimes occur in 
the building up and organizing of business 
in new towns in the west was shown here 
during the winter of 188 1-2. J. M. Stephens 
and J. J. Flanigan conducting a saloon and 
shoe store in the same room. 

The town was incorporated during the 
winter of 1883 and S. G. Crawford was 
elected mayor. The following spring Dr. 
Townsend was elected as a member of the 
council, a position to which he was re-elected 
several terms. He was elected mayor in 
1897 and again in. 1898, and served until 
March. 1900. He was a member of the 
school board from 1890 to 1900, being presi- 
dent of the board for several years. He en- 
tered the campaign of 1899 as a candidate 
for state representative with J. C. Lowry, 
of Pomeroy, and R. A. Horton. of Manson, 
as cajididates for nomination against him. 
About the middle of the campaign Mr. Hor- 
ton withdrew and the contest was a spirited 
one friim that time mitil the primaries, when 
the votes were counted and it was found that 
Dr. Townseyd had three hundred and one 



more than Mr. Lowry. and consequently re- 
ceived the nomination, whicli in that strone 
Republican district meant election. In 1901 
he was again a candidate for the same office 
and received the nomination of his party 
without contest, and was re-elected, thus 
serving in the twenty-eighth and twenty- 
ninth general assemblies of the legislature, 
where he made a record for careful, con- 
servative work, of which he mav justlv feel 
proud. As a Republican he has always 
taken a lively interest in promoting the wel- 
fare of the party, and his official duties have 
been creditably and satisfactorily discharged. 
He is a member of the Repulilican Grant club 
of Des Moines. Iowa. 

Dr. Townsend also' belongs to the follow- 
ing civic societies : Zerrubbabel Lodge, No. 
240, A. F. & A. M. ; Cypress Chapter, No. 
99, R. A. M. ; Rose Croix Commandery, No. 
38, K. T. ; Lohrville Lodge, No. 469, I. O. 
O. F. The last named lodge was organized 
at Lohrville, August 3, 1882, with the char- 
ter members as follows : D. J. Townsend, H. 
R. Howell, James Herring. B. F. Howell 
and Daniel Lowe. The Doctor is a public- 
spirited and progressive citizen and gives his 
support to all measures for the public good 
and welfare of the community in which he 

lives. 

•*—* 

MARION E. HUTCHISON. 

In the field of political and professional 
activity Marion E. Hutchisdn has won dis- 
tinction and is tcxlay numbered among the 
leading influential and honored residents of 
Lake City. In his practice of law he has 
shown himself familiar with the princii)lc.s 
of jurisprudence and with precedent and is 
now capai3ly filling the position of county 



226 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



attorney. In his private practice he is asso- 
ciated with J- ^^ ■ Jacobs, under the firm 
name of Hutchison & Jacobs, and the large 
clientage which they retain is an indication 
of the confidence reposed in their ability b\- 
the public. 

]Mr. Hutchison was born in Lake City, 
Januai-y 31, 1 87 1, and is a son of S. T. and 
Elizabeth (Hold) Hutchison, both of whom 
were natives of Ohio, but their marriage was 
celebrated in Lake City. Their children 
are: Viola A., wife of R. G. Finney, of 
Manson; J. F., connected with the Rockwell 
Citv Bank ; Jessie B., the wife of William C. 
Beer; \\'alter E., who died in the Fhilippine 
islands; Lucy M. and Lucian, twins, both 
deceased, the former having passed away 
when ten years of age, and the latter in in- 
fancy; George G., attending school in Iowa 
City; Raymond O. ; Corinne H., at home; 
and Marion E., the subject of this re^'iew. 

At the usual age Maron E. Hutchison 
entered the public schools of Lake City and 
after completing the high-school course was 
matriculated in Drake University in 1889, 
there remaining as a student for two years. 
Thus with a broad general knowledge 
which served as the foundation upon which 
to rear the superstructure of professional 
learning, he entered the law school of the 
State University in the fall of 1891 and was 
graduated in June, 1893. Immediately af- 
terward he began the practice in his native 
city where he has since remained and grad- 
ually his clientage has increased both in vol- 
ume and importance. He handles his cases 
with masterly skill and is strong in argu- 
ment, original in his deductions and force- 
ful in his presentation of a cause. Mr. Hutch- 
ison has ben very prominent in political 
circles, his opinions carrying weight and in- 
fluence in the councils o{ his party. From 



1893 until 1898 he was a member of the 
Republican county central committee and 
in 1896 he was elected city attorney, filling 
the position for four years. In the fall of 
1900 he was elected county attornej^ of Cal- 
houn county and will continue in the office 
until January, 1903. He has attended sev- 
eral of the state conventions and his in- 
fluence and support are ever given to the 
party in which he so firmly believes. He is 
now serving as local attorney for the Chi- 
cago & Northwestern Railway Company, 
for the First National Bank, and for the 
Lake City Electric Company, and of the 
last named he is one of the stockholders. 

On the 2 1st of October, 1894, was cele- 
brated the marriage of Mr. Hutchison and 
I\Iiss Ida E. Townsend, a daughter of S. H. 
Townsend, of Lake City, and tlTey now have 
two interesting children — Hildred E., born 
November 23, 1895, and Samuel T., born 
December 16, 1899. Socially Mr. Htitchi- 
son is connected with the Benevolent Pro- 
tective Order of Elks. He is of a genial 
nature and gentlemanly bearing, which 
characteristics are evidences of a commend- 
able character, and he is one of the popular 
and esteemed residents of Calhoun county. 



GEORGE J. DEHART. 

George J. Dehart, one of the leading 
fanners of Calhoun township, whose home 
is on section 23, came to this state about 
1874, and has made his home in Calhoun 
county since May, 1881. He was born on 
the loth of September, 1835, in Monroe 
county, \\'est Virginia, of which county his 
father, Samuel Dehart, was also a native. 
His paternal grandfather, Abraliam Dehart, 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



227 



was born in France, and witli t\\"o brothers 
came to tlie new world with General La 
Fayette, all of them aiding' the colonies in 
their struggle for independence as soldiers 
in the Revolutionary war. When peace 
\\'as restored Abraham Dehart located in 
Monroe county, West Virginia, being one 
of the first settlers of that section. There 
his son, Samuel, grew to manhood and n^ar- 
ried Sciphia Spade, a native of Virginia and 
a daughter of John Spade, who was also a 
soldier of the Revolutionary war. He was 
a German by birth, Ijeing one of the soldiers 
employed by the Englisli in their efforts to 
subdue the colonies. He was captured by 
the colonial forces and paroled, but remained 
with the .\merican army, not caring to be 
exchanged. Later he settled in Virginia, 
but was married in Maryland. During his 
active business life Samuel Dehart followed 
farming and continued to make his home in 
A\'est Virginia until called to his final rest 
in 1882. His wife survived him some time 
and passed away in 1894. 

Upon the old home farm in West Vir- 
ginia George J. Dehart passed his boyhood 
and youth, remaining with his father until 
grown. He then worked by the month as a 
farm hand for a few )-ears, and subsequently 
bought a farm in his native county, which 
he operated for several years. In early life 
he entered the state militia, and rose to the 
rank of second lieutenant. After tlie Civil 
war broke out he was induced to join the 
Confederate army and became a member of 
Company D, Twenty-seventh Virginia In- 
fantry, which was first under the command 
of General Stonewall Jackson, and later un- 
der Genei-al Robert E. Lee. During the first 
battle of Bull Run he received a gunshot 



wound, but was not disabled, and remained 
in the service for nearly three years. 

Mr. Dehart was first married in Green- 
brier county, West Virginia, August 28, 
i860, to Miss Sarah F. Skaggs, a daughter 
of David J. Skaggs. She was born in In- 
diana, but was reared in West Virginia. In 
1869 Mr. Dehart removed to Alton, Illinois, 
where he engaged in farming for two years, 
and then spent a year and a half at Bloom- 
ington. Coming to Iowa in 1874 he first 
located in Carroll county, where he engaged 
in farming one season, and then removed 
across the boundaiy line into Sac county 
where the following three years were passed. 
At the end of that period he returned to 
Carroll coimty and made his home there un- 
til coaning to Calhoun county in 1881, lo- 
cating on a tract of eighty acres in Calhoun 
township, which he had purchased several 
years previously. After building a small 
house upon the place he began to break the 
land and improve his farm, and subsequent- 
ly added to it until he now has a quarter sec- 
tion. Mr. Dehart has since enlarged and 
improved his residence, has erected conven- 
ient outbuildings, has set out fruit and shade 
trees, and made many other useful and val- 
uable improvements. He raises a good 
grade of stock, and although he started out 
in life with no capital he has steadily pros- 
pered through his own well directed efforts, 
being a good business man and a thorough 
and systematic farmer. 

Mr. Dehart's first wife died in this coun- 
ty, October 20. 1885, leaving five children, 
namely : James F., who is now married 
and resides in Kansas; Virginia Alice, wife 
of Sherman Peterson, of Lake City, Iowa; 
Emina Susan, wife of William Borden, of 



228 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Chicago, Illinois; Frank, who' is with his 
brother in Kansas; and May, at home. On 
the 5th of June, 1888, Mr. Dehart was again 
married, in Calhoun cotuitv. his second un- 
ion being with Miss Sarah Corty, who was 
born and reared in DeKalb county, Illinois, 
and is a daughter of Daniel Corey of that 
county. By this marriage two children 
have been born : John C. and Mary Caro- 
line. 

Always a strong temperance man Mr. 
Dehart is now identified with the Prohibi- 
tion party and is a stanch supporter of its 
principles. He takes an active interest in 
educational atfairs and most etiftciently 
served as a member of the school beard for 
.some years. He and liis wife are both earn- 
est and consistent members of the Baptist 
church of Lake City and are held in the 
highest regard by all who know them. 



CLIFTON A. BATES. 

Clifton A. Bates, a well known repre- 
sentative of the operative department of rail- 
road service in Lake City, has for a li • ■ 
period been connected with the Chicago & 
Northwestern Railway Company and is now 
one of its engineers, running" between Lake 
City and Des Moines. He was born on In- 
dian land in Wisconsin, April 21, 1858, a 
son of Andrew J. and Jane (.Vckerman) 
Bates, the former a native of New York, 
while the latter was born in the Buckeye 
state. In the year 1837 the family removed 
to Minnesota and there the father purchased 
a farm, which he continued to cultivate until 
1873, when he took up his abode in Waseca. 
There he engaged in the lumber business un- 
til 1885 — the year of his removal to Spo^ 



kane, Washington, where his widow still re- 
sides. His death occurred on the loth of 
March, 1894. Unto thiem were born the 
follmving children: Hazen, now deceased; 
Ernest, a resident of Spokane ; Clifton A., 
of this review ; Libbie, the wife of John 
Grant, O'f Spokane; E. G., who is an engi- 
neer emplcnxd by the Chicago & North- 
western Railway Company and makes his 
home in Tama, Iowa; and B. B., a brakes- 
man residing in Eagle Grove, Iowa. 

Mr. Bates of this review spent the first 
nine years of his life in his native state and 
then accompanied his parents to Minnesota, 
where he continued his education, which had 
begun in the schools of Wisconsin. He re- 
mained at home until 1879, and tlien started 
out in life on his own accourit. He resided 
in Eagle Grove, Iowa, from 1882 until -890, 
and then came to Lake City, where he has 
since made his home. He began his rail- 
road work as a brakesman on the Winona & 
St. Peter Railroad, and after being em- 
ployed in that capacity for three years, he 
entered the employ of the Chcago & North- 
western Railroad Company, in 1882, in the 
capacity of a fireman, running oait of Eagle 
Grove on the northern Iowa division. He 
thus served for three years, and on the 2d 
of September, 1885, he was promoted tO' en- 
gineer, while in October, 1899, he was as- 
signed to a passenger train and is now run- 
ning between Lake City and Des Moines. 
The only accident which he has ever had oc- 
citrred in 1893, when he ran into some cattle 
on the track and the engine and five cars 
wiere derailed l.)Ut nobody was injured. He 
exercises the greatest care in the perform- 
ance of his duties and is regarded as one of 
the most safe and reliable engineers in the 
sen- ice. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



229 



On tlie 29th of October, 1888, Mr. 
Bates married Miss Lizzie Sadler, of Eagle 
Grove, but on the loth of March, 1894, he 
was called upon to mourn the loss oi his 
-wife, who died on that date, leaving many^ 
friends. He is a well kn(;wn and esteemed 
Mason, belonging to Zerubbabel lodge, also 
to the chapter and conimandery, the last 
named being in Sac City. He also holds 
membership relations with the Knights of 
Pythias Lodge in Lake City and with the 
Brotlierhood of Locomotive Engineers, in 
which he is insurance collector. He has 
made judicious investments of his savings 
and is the owner of property in Eagle Gro^'e 
and a fruit fann in Washington. These 
are the visible evidence of his life of dili- 
gence and perseverance. He is a self-made 
man and all that he possesses has come to 
him' as the merited reward of earnest and 
honest labor. 



JAMES M. MILLER. 

James M. Miller, an honored veteran oif 
the Civil war, is a representative of railroad 
interes'ts, being an engineer in the service of 
the Chicago & Xorthwestern Railway Com- 
pany, and is equally well known in connec- 
tion withi the work of the Young Men's 
Christian Association. He has a very wide 
acquaintance in this portion oi the state, as 
well as in Lake City, where he makes his 
home, and all who know him entertain for 
him high regard in recognition of his many 
splendid qualities of heart and mind, ^"et 
few men are more free from ostentation and 
display than Mr. Miller, but he has been so 
loyal in citienship, so reliable in business and 
so trustwmrtln- in all life's relaliuns that his 



fellow men, in consequence, entertain for 
him the highest respect. 

Air. Miller was boa-n in Iberia, Ohio, 
June 2, 1842. His father, John Miller, was 
born December 16, 181 5, in Pennsylvania, 
and after attaining to man's estate married 
Miss Lucinda Marshall, whose birth oc- 
curred in Ohio, March 12, 1819. In 1851 
they remo^-ed with their family to Washing- 
ton county, Iowa. The father died in War- 
ren county, Iowa, November 4, 1883, and 
his wife passed away December 26, 1874. 
They were the parents of the following 
named: Esther J., who was born July 25, 
1839, became the wife of James Wilson, of 
Washington, Iowa, and both are now de- 
ceased, the wife passing away December 13, 
1874: Emilv E. born August 31, 1840, is 
the wife ot' James Myers, of Sheridan, Iowa ; 
James Marshall was born June 2, 1842; 
John W., born in Ohio, December 22, 1843, 
is now in the west ; Jeanette, born June 26, 
1846, is the wife of Jo^seph Pressley, now de- 
ceased; Lucinda, born August 12, 1847, died 
on the I2th of July, 1849; George W., who 
was born August 2, 1850,. and was an engi- 
neer, was killed in a railroad collision on the 
Rock Island railroad near Ottumwa, Iowa ; 
]\Ian- A., born in \Vashington county, Iowa, 
August 2, 1855, died July 8, 1890; Joseph 
A., born January 26, 1857, was a locomotive 
engineer and was killed in a wreck on the 
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe railroad, near 
Pueblo. Colorado, October 8, 1892; Willis 
was born August 5, 1859; and Ralph E., 
born ]\Iarch 10, 1862, died December 31, 
1866. 

\\'hen nine years of age James M. Miller 
accompanied his parents to Iowa, the family 
locating in Dutch Creek townshii), A\'ash- 
ington countv. After ac(|uiring his prelim- 
inarv education, he liecame a student in the 



230 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



college of ^^'ashingto^, Iowa, and was tliere 
pursuing his studies when the Civil war was 
inaugurated, in April, 1861. Together witli 
twenty-foivr other students from that col- 
lege, he ofifered bis services to the gO'veni- 
ment, becoming a miember of Company H, 
Second Iowa Infantry, April 16, 1861, ]yt- 
ing mustered in May 27th as a private. He 
was promoted to corporal, then to sergeant 
and afterward to second lieutenant of Conv 
pany A, Fifty-fifth United States Coloured 
Infantry, at Corinth, Mississippi, alxiut the 
lOth of May, 1863. While a member oif the 
Second he participated in the engaganent at 
Fort Donelson, February 15, 1862, and 
Shilolli, April 6 and 7, 1862, receiving a 
slig"ht wotmd on the second day of the battle. 
He participated in the advance on Corinth 
from the ist to the 29th oif May, and was 
in several skirmishes during that time. On 
the 3d and 4th of October he was in the 
battle of Corinth, being in the thickest of^tlie 
fight on both days. He was in the battle 
at Little Bear creek, November 28, 1862, 
Town Creek, in April. 1863, and in the fol- 
lowing month was made second lieutenant of 
Company A, Fifty-fifth United States Col- 
ored Infantry, witfi wbich he went to Mem- 
phis, Tennessee, wHiere he did garrison duty 
until June, 1864. The command was then 
ordered out on a raid by General Sturges, 
and met the enemy on the loth and nth of 
June, at Georgetoiwn, Alisisissippi, the Con- 
federates out-numbering the Union troops 
three to one. The latter were dri\-en back 
in confusion and oif his companj^ of seventv'- 
six men. Lieutenant Miller lost all but four- 
teen. After six days of hard nrarching and 
withoxit an\-thing to eat, he was captured 
^vthen within twelve miles of the Union pick- 
ets. With foiurteen others he \\'as taken to 



Oxford, Mississippi, where they were held 
as prisoners for a few days. There Mr. 
Miller made a desperate attempt to escape 
and was punished for this by being separated 
from the rest of the comipany and sait south 
to Granada, Mississippi, where he and forty- 
one others were placed in a jail used for pris- 
oners of war. Ten days later they were 
notified that they would be taken to Ander- 
sonville prison, sO' again Mr. Miller made an 
effort for liberty. Josepli Gould, of the 
Ninth Minnesota, and our subject succeeded 
in prying one of the iron bars from across 
the window and thus maide their escape. ■ It 
was a desperate chance, but they took it and 
won. The others, however, remained be- 
hind rather than take the risk. After six- 
teen da_\-s and nig'hts, during Avhich time they 
endured great hardships from starvation 
and exposure, they reached the Mississippi 
ri\-er at Horseshoe Bend, nine miles aibove 
the mouth of \\'hite river. They had little 
clothing and were almost utterly exhausted. 
However, the)' secured a plank from the 
bushes, where it had lodged in time of high 
water, and in this way they managed to float 
out upon the river, where they were picked 
up by Union boats and taken to Memphis, 
Tennessee. Soon afterward, Mr. ^liller was 
commissioned first lieutenant of Company 
D, of the same regiment, and did garrison 
diutv^ at Port Hudson and Baton Rouge, 
Louisiana, until the close of the war, when 
he was mustered out at Vicksburg with a 
most creditable militar)- record, extending 
from April 16, 1861, until Januar\- 5, 1866. 
Few men are moire familiar with the hard- 
ships oif war and certainly he deserves great 
credit, for he was a brave and' lo}-al soldier 
and never wavered in his allegiance to the 
old flag from the time it was first fired upon 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



23J 



until it was planted in the capital of the 
Confederacy. 

About 1868 Mr. Miller came to Boone, 
Iowa, and entered the sen'ice of the Cli'icago 
& Northwestern Railway as check clerk, 
freight and baggage handler. From Boone 
he removed to the city of Chicago, Illinois. 
In 1871 he again entered the service of the 
Chicago & Northwestern Railway Com- 
pany, as a fireman running out of Chicago 
for some time. He fired on the Galena di- 
vision for fi\'e and one-half years, running 
between Chicago, Clinton and Fi^eeport, and 
in December, 1877, he was promoted to the 
position of engineer, in which capacity he 
has since served, remaining on the same 
division until 1881. In that year he was 
transferred to the Northern Iowa (li\-ision, 
and ran an engine on the constmction work 
into Dakota. He was on that division for 
one year in the freight service, and in 1884 
was given a passenger run, since which time 
he has served in that capacity, being one of 
the most careful engineers on the line, realiz- 
ing fully the obligation and responsibility 
that devolve upon him as the custodian of 
the lives of all who ride upon his. train. 

]\Ir. Miller has been very prominent in 
connection with the Young Men's Christian 
Association. He was one of three men aj)- 
pointed to act as the state deputation of the 
Railway Y. M. C. A., doing e^'angelistic 
work all over the state, organizing local as- 
sociations in all ])arts o'f Iowa. For eight 
years he gave mucli of his time to his labors 
in that connection. He established an asso- 
ciation among railway men in Lake City 
and his influence in this direction has been 
most marked, while his efforts have been 
very effective. 

Mr. Miller was married to Mary C. Lit- 
wiler, of Crawford coimtv, PennsT,-lvania, 



born near ]\Ieadville, that state. They have 
one child, Lottie M., who was born July 4, 
1871, the wife of Professor C. W. Dolbey, a 
musical composer oi wide reputation, his 
home bemg in Des IMoines, Iowa,. Both 
Mr. and Mrs. Miller hold membership in the 
Methodist Episcopal church at Lake City, 
in which he is now serving as trustee. They 
have made many warm friends in this place 
and the hospitality of many of its best homes 
is extended toi than. Fraternally Mr. Miller 
is connected with the Masonic fraternity, 
belonging tO' the lodge at Lake City, while 
he is also connected with the Brotherhood 
of Locomotive Engineers. His humanitar- 
ian principles, his fraternal spirit and his 
kindly nature are manifest so strongly in his 
life— being a part oif his nature — that he is 
classed among those who ha\-e made the 
world better for having lived. 



JA:\IES F. LAVENDER. 

Mr. Lavender was born amid the liills 
of New Hampshire, his birth occurring in 
Rochester, on the 24th of March-, 1851, his 
parents being Robert and Ann (Mclhvrath) 
Lavender. The Lavender family is of 
Huguenot origin, and from Ireland came to 
the new world. On the maternal side the 
subject of this revicAV is of Scotch lineage 
and the ancestry can be traced back toi the 
days of King William. For many years 
members of the Lavender family were well- 
know^i in connection with the manufacture 
of linen and as linen merchants, while the 
Mclhvrath family was identified with agri- 
cultural pursuits. The father of our sub- 
ject was born on the Em'erald isle and on 
crossing the Atlantic to the new world set- 



232 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



tied in ]\Iassachiisetts. whence lie afterward 
removed to New Hampshire and later be- 
came a resident of Iowa. He was a miller, 
designer and Ixiss weaver in woolen manu- 
facture, and was employed in the mills in 
the east until 1863, when he came to the 
Hawkeye state. Taking up his abode in 
Scdtt county, he there engaged in fitting up 
a woolen mill at Davenport, and later turned 
hi's attention to fanning, devoting his latter 
y^ears to agricultural pursuits. Removing 
to Poweshiek county, lie there spent his re- 
maining days, passing away at the age of 
seventy-two years. His wife died at the age 
of seventy-three. In their family were five 
sons and three daughters, all of whom are 
yet li\'ing. William J., who is a resident Oif 
Davenport, Iowa; Robert L.. who makes 
his home in Newtoo; Mrs. Elizabeth Booth, 
of Storm Lake, Iowa; James F., of this re- 
view; Mrs. Hannah J. Parker, who lives in 
Gilman ; Mrs. Martha A. Sowerwine, of 
Brooklyn, low'a; Alexander F., who is a 
resident of Hamburg, California ; and 
Thomas H., of Gilman, Iowa. 

James F. Lavender spent the first twehe 
years of his life in NeAV Hampshire and 
then accompanied his parents t j Iowa, where 
he continued his education in the Agricul- 
tural College at Ames. Desiring to^ enter 
professional life he took up the study of law 
in Davenport, in 1873, pursuing his reading 
during the months of vacation while teach^ 
ing school. It was throiigh his work as a 
teacher that he acquired the means that en- 
abled him to pursue his college co'urse. The 
elemental strength of his chiaracter was thus 
early shown forth and indicated the cpialities 
which would mark his later career. Ad- 
■mitted to the bar in September, 1880, he 



entered upon acti\'e connection with the pro- 
fession in Davenport, as a clerk in the law 
office of the firm of Brown & Campbell, well 
known attorneys of that city. Subsecjuent- 
ly he came to Rockwell City in 1881, and 
now for twenty-one years has been a practi- 
tioner at the bar of Calhoun county, being 
the dldest lawyer in years of continuous ser- 
vice here, with one exception. He has given 
his entire attention to his legal work and 
his preparation of cases is most thorough 
and exhaustive. 

On the 20th of December, 1876, '^Ir. 
Lavender was united in marriage to Miss 
Mary L. Davison, who was born in Le 
Claire, Iowa, — a daughter of Alfred X. 
Davison. She is a lady of superior culture 
and intelligence, and for several years suc- 
cessfully engaged in teaching. Six children 
have been born unto them ; Fannie S., 
Fabius C, Robert A., James B., Mary F. 
and Alice E. 

In public affairs Mr. Lavender has been 
prominent. He served from 1886 until 1890 
as county superintendent of schools and 
from 1895 until 1899 he had the honor of 
representing his district in the state legisla- 
ture. He is a Republican in his political 
A'iews and has a broad and comprehensive 
knowledge of the political issues of the day. 
He ably and creditabl}- served in the house, 
taking an active part in the business that 
was transacted in the council chambers of 
the commonwealth. His course has ever 
been al>ove suspicion. The good of tlie state 
he places before partisanship and the wel- 
fare of his constituen,ts Ijefore personal ag- 
grandizement. He commanded the respect 
of the members of the house, but at home^ — 
in the county of his adoirtion — where he is 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



233- 



best known, he inspires personal friendship 
of unusual strength, and all who know him 
have the highest admiration for his good 
qualities i:>f heart and mind. 



ALFRED W. ESHBAUGH. 

Alfred W. Eshbaugh, one of the most 
practical and progressive agriculturists oi 
Center townsliip, his home being on section 
28, was born in Oregon, Ogle county, Illi- 
nois, on the 1 2th of July, 1852, and is a son 
of Solomon J. and Sarah ('Lilly) Eshbaugh, 
who were natives of Pennsylvania and were 
farming people. Our subject remained un- 
der the paternal roof until he attained his 
majority, pursuing his studies in the district 
schools of the neighborhood until twenty 
3'ears oi age, and attending the high school 
in Oregon one term. He was also a student 
at Rock River Seminary-, now Mount Mor- 
ris College, for a time, and engaged in teach- 
ing in the district schools of his native coun- 
ty for thirteen terms with excellent success. 

On the 4th of September, 1879, Mr. 
Eshbaugh was united in marriage toi Miss 
Kate Ray, who was born April 3, 1857, and 
they have become the parents of four chil- 
dren, namely: Amy B., born August 2y, 
1884; Cora E., November 27, 1885; Paul 
L., September 19, 1889; and Eula M., May 
10, 1891. The three older children are now 
attending school in Rockwell City. 

Coming to Iowa in the spring of 1880, 
Mr. Eshbaugh purchased an unimproved 
fanu of one hundred and sixty acres on sec- 
tion 28, Center township, Calhoun county, 
and on the 1st of June, 1881, took up his 
residence thereon, it having since l>een his 
home. Stock raising has alwavs claimed a 



large share of his attention, his specialties 
being short horn cattle, Shropsiiire sheep, 
Poland China hogs and Hambletonian 
JTorses. He is a good judge of stock and in 
this branch of his business he has been re- 
markably successful. 

Both Mr. and Airs. Eshbaugh are mem- 
bers of the First Presbyterian church of 
Rockwell City, and 'occupy an enviable posi- 
tion in the esteem of their fellow citizens. 
Politically he is identified' with the Republi- 
can party, and has been called upon to fill 
a number of local offices of honor and trust, 
having served as road supervisor five years, 
justice of the peace two years, a member of 
the school board two years, and a member 
of the county, board oif supervisors. His of- 
ficial duties have been discliarged with a 
promptness and fidelity worthy O'f the high- 
est commendation, and he well deserves the 
high regard in which he is uniformly held. 



CHARLES H. WISE. 

Charles H. Wise, of the firm of Craw- 
ford, Wise & Company, of Lohrville, is one 
of the leading bankers o^f Calhoun county, 
and is rapidly working his way to a fore- 
most position among the prominent finan- 
ciers o'f this section Oif the state. He is 
proud to claim Iowa as his native state, his 
birth having occurred in Cedar coimty, June 
17, 1859. His parents were Isaac K. and 
Emma; (Hanslip) Wise, the former born in 
Union county, Pennsylvania, the latter in 
Goole, England. In early life the father 
followed the miller's trade for fifteen years 
or more. On coming to Iowa, in 1836. lie 
first located in Cedar county and afterward 
remo\-ed to Muscatine, being employed) to 



234 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



haul government supplies from there to Fort 
Dodge. He has now retired from active 
business cares and makes his home in Blairs- 
town, Iowa. He was mayor of that cit}- for 
a number of years, and was engaged in the 
lumber business, and is one of its most 
proiuinent and highly respected citizens. In 
pdJitics he is a Republican, and in religious 
belief is a Methodist. His wife, who was 
also a m'ember oif that church, died on the 
20th of September, 1901. They were the 
parents of five children, of whom our sub- 
ject is the eldest. Jessie E. makes her home 
in Blairstown, Iowa, and Jennie M. is now 
a resident of Qiicago, Illinois. Two chil- 
dren died in infancy. 

Charles H. Wise grew to manhood in 
Wilton Junction and Blairstown, and re- 
ceived a good comiuon school and academic 
education, \vhich has well fitted him for the 
practical duties of life. Coming to Lohr- 
ville, in 1882, he eml>arked in the lumber 
business, which he carried on quite success- 
fully for ten years, and then became con- 
nected with his brother-in-law, S. G. Craw- 
ford, in the banking btisiness under the firm 
name of Crawford, Wise & Company. He 
has steadily prospered during his residence 
here and is to-day one of the representative 
business men oi the place, being far-sighted, 
energetic and enterprising, as well as thor- 
oughly reliable in all transactions. He has 
interested himself in farming and Oiwns sev- 
eral fine famis in Calhoun county wlich he 
rents. 

In June, 1892, Mr. Wise married Miss 
Elizabeth Crawford, a sketch of whose fam- 
ily is given in connection with that of her 
brother on another page of this volume. 
Mr. Wise is a stanch supporter of the Re- 
publican party, and has been a member of 
the city council since the city Avas incorpor- 



ated. He is a prominent Mason, having for 
seventeen years been a member of the Com- 
mandery and Mystic Shrine, and socially his 
pleasant, genial manner makes him quite 
popular. 



JACOB A. GROVE. 

Jacob A. Grove owns and operates a 
valuable farm of two hundred and forty 
acres in Lake Creek township, whose neat 
and thrifty appearance well indicates his 
careful supervision. Substantial improve- 
ments are surrounded by well tilled fields, 
and all the accessories and conveniences of a 
model farm are there found. 

Mr. Grove is a native of the Prairie 
state, his birth having occurred in Menard 
county, Illinois, October i, 185 1. His par- 
ents were Adam J. and Sarah A. T. (Horn) 
Grove, and his paternal grandparents were 
Henn,' and Eve Grove. The former was 
born October 20, 1784, at Ephrata, Lan- 
caster county, Pennsylvania. His father, 
Jacob Grove, settled near Harrisburg, Penn- 
sylvania, about 1800. The family is of Ger- 
man lineage and was established at Ephrata 
about 1785. The name was then spelled 
Grafif and the family was identified with the 
Seventh Day Baptists. At Ephrata there 
are deeds of land purchased by Abram Grafif 
and dated 1760. He had five children, and 
died in Lancaster county in 1788. His son, 
Jacob, was born in 1751. He made the fam- 
ily name Groff and there are many of his 
descendants still living in Lancaster county. 
He married Nancy Kneisley, of Ephrata, 
about 1780, and they became the parents of 
sixteen children, one of whom was Henry, 
the paternal grandfather of our subject. It 
was he w'ho adopted the present form of the 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



235 



name — Grove. He was married, in Hum- 
melston, Pennsylvania, June 7, 1808, t(j E\e 
Hammaker, who was born January 9, 1791, 
in that county. Tliey were the parents of 
twelve cliildren, and on the ist of November, 
1836, they emigrated westward, settling at 
that date in Spring-field, Illinois. The fol- 
lowing year they took up their abode in what 
is now \\'illiams township, Sangamon coun- 
ty, Illinois. The grandfather was a farmer 
by occupation and passed his last days in 
Illinois. 

The father of our subject was born near 
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on the nth of 
March, iSog, and chose the tailor's trade as 
his life work, but he also engaged in preach- 
ing as a minister oif the Christian church. 
He was married, at Xenia, Ohio, to Sarah 
A. T. Horn, and in the year 1830 removed 
to Springfield, Illinois, preceding his father 
six years. He spent some years in Sanga- 
mon and ]Menard counties, and died in 
Athens, that state, June 30, 1851. He was 
an earnest and consistent Christian and was 
highly respected and esteemed by all who 
knew him. His wife, who was born in 
Xenia, Ohio, May 4, 1816, departed this life 
December 31, 1893. After the death of her 
first husband, she married John England. 
The children born of the first marriage were 
as follows: Edwin H., Axiril 20, 1836; 
John H., December i, 1839; Sarah E., Oc- 
tober 12, 1841 ; William B., January 10, 
1843; Elizabeth C, February 18, 1844: Sn- 
san M., May 12, 1845; Daniel H., April 14, 
1847; Anna, December 23, 1849; and Adam 
J. and Jacob A., twins, October i, 1851, in 
Athens, Menard county, Illinois. Of this 
number John H. is now in Cape X'^ome, 
Alaska, although his home is at Williams- 
ville, Illinois. 



The subject of this sketch spent his early 
life in Illinois, and attended the schools near 
his boyhood home. At the age of twenty- 
one he left the parental roof and began to 
make his own way in the world. The first 
farm, which he owned was a tract of sixty 
acres in Logan county, Illinois, where he 
made his home until coming to Calhoun 
county, Iowa, in the spring of 1892. He 
purchased two hundred and forty acres of 
land in Lake Creek township, and to its im- 
provement and cultivation he has since de- 
voted his time and energies with marked 
success. He usually plants one hundred' 
acres to corn and eighty-five acres to small 
grain, the remainder of his farm being 
meadow and pasture land, and there is also 
an orchard and grove. He gives consider- 
able attention to the raising oi stock, keep- 
ing forty head of sltort horn cattle and a 
large num1>er of Poland China hogs. 

On the 30th of April, 1880, Mr. Grove 
was united in marriage to Miss Lydia J. 
Lucas, who was born in Mount Pulaski, 
Logan county, Illinois, Noveniber i, 1858, a 
daughter of Richard B. and Martha (Nich- 
olson) Lucas. Her father was also born in 
that county, December 5, 1830, and is now 
a farmer of Calhoun county, Iowa, his 
sketch appearing elsewhere in this volume. 
The birth of her mother occurred in Mich- 
igan, March 7, 1834. Mr. and Mrs. Grove 
have five children, the three oldest of whom 
were born in Mount Pulaski, Illinois, the 
others in Calhoun county, Iowa. They are 
as follows : Richard A., born Februarj- 9, 
1881 ; Vinton, August 20, 1882 ; Elmer, July 
9, 1888 ; Verna, February 8, 1893 ; and Etta, 
September 25, 1895. 

Socially Mr. Grove is a member of Camp 
No. 2522, M. W. A., at Rockwell City, and 



236 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



politically is identified with the Republican 
party. He has served as president of the 
school l3oard three years and director for 
eight years ; and has also filled the office of 
township trustee three years ; and is now 
township treasurer. His official duties have 
been discharged with a promptness and fidel- 
ity worthy of the highest commendation, 
and he is justly regarded as one of the most 
valuable and highly respected citizens of his 

community. 

■* » » 

DAVID M. BROWN. 

David M. Brown is living retired in 
Lohrville, but through many years has been 
associatetl with farming interests in Calhoun 
county and is yet the owner of his old home 
place in Union township. From New Eng- 
land he came to the \\iest, his birth having 
occurred in Addison county, Vermont, on 
the 23rd of February, 1831, his parents be- 
ing Samuel and Louisa (Ayers) Brown, 
both of whom were also natives of the Green 
Mountain state. The father's birth occurred 
on the 1 6th of August, 1794, while the 
mother was born Decamber 28, 1805. He 
was a farmer by occupation and spent his 
entire life in Vermont. At the time of the 
second war with England he joined his coun- 
try's troops and fought for the rights of this 
nation. Both he and his wife were almost 
ninety-one years of age when called to their 
final rest. In his political views he was a 
Republican and was a citizen who gave his 
earnest support to every movement and 
measure which he belie\-ed would effect the 
welfare of his town, state or nation. In his 
family were ten children, of whom four are 
yet living, namely : Mrs. Rena, Byam, of 



Whiteside county, Illinois; David i\I., of this 
review; i\Irs. Alvira Ellsworth, of Lohr- 
vihe; and Mrs. Roxanna Ferrin, of Mis- 
souri. 

David M. Brown spent the first nineteen 
years of his life in the Green Mountain 
state and the schools of his locality afforded 
him his educational privileges. \\"hen quite 
young he began working at the mason's 
trade, and on leaving New England he first 
settled in Indiana, subsequently residing in 
Illinois, where he was engaged at work at 
the mason's and blacksmith's trades. He 
also followed farming and the first land 
which he ever owned was in Indiana. In 
the year 1869 he arrived in Calhoun county, 
casting in his lot with the early settlers 
whose frontier experiences were new to him, 
but with courageous heart he set to work to 
make a home in this wild district. He pur- 
chased one hundred and twenty acres of raw 
prairie land, and as his financial resources 
have increased he has made other purchases 
until his farm now comprises three Inmdred 
and forty-four acres. His nearest neighbor 
at the time of his arrival was a mile and a 
half away, and his nearest trading place wai 
Jefferson. Deer and other lesser game were 
very plentiful and furnished many a meal 
for the early settlers. The huntsmen had 
ample opportunity to indulge his love of the 
chase. There were many hardships and 
trials to be borne in reclaiming this region 
for man, but there were also many pleasures 
and privileges which are unknown at the 
present day and there was a free-liearted 
hospitality and helpfulness that made life 
well worth the living. When he came to 
the county there was not a house between 
his home and Manson, twenty miles to the 
north. ]Mr. Brown has resided in Union 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



237 



township from the time of his arri\al in the 
county until the present and is one of its 
honored and vakied citizens. In 1892 he 
removed to the village of Lohrville, but sup- 
erintends to some extent the operation of 
his land, although much of it is now rented. 
On the 4th of October, 1857, our sub- 
ject was joined in wedlock to Miss Martha 
Hulett, a native of Indiana, and a daughter 
of Thomas Hulett. Their marriage has 
been blessed with eight children, who are yet 
living, — Leota, Orin, ]\Iinnie, Ella, Ida, Ed- 
ward, Hattie and Delia, and they have also 
lost two, Orin and Lindsey. For one term 
Mr. Brown has served as county supervisor 
and also served a part of the term in that 
office on account of a \acancy which had oc- 
curred. He has filled various township of- 
fices and has been active in public affairs. 
He helped to survey most of the roads in 
this section of the county. He was one of the 
appraisers on the assessment of the right of 
way of the Chicago. Milwaukee & St. Paul, 
and was also on the drainage board that 
reclaimed many thousand acres of swamp 
land. He exercises his right of franchise 
in support of the men and measures of the 
Republican party and keeps well informed 
on the issues of the day, so that he is ever 
able to support his position by intelligent 
argument. With the Methodist Episcopal 
church be and his wife hold membership, 
and his Christian principles have permeated 
his life, making him a citizen of strong pur- 
pose and honorable character. He is one of 
the early settlers of Union township, and 
through a third of a century has witnessed 
with interest the progress and upbuilding of 
this section of the state. He has seen the 
raw prairie changed into rich farms, while 
towns and villages have sprung up and 
churches and schools have indicated the 

14 



progress of civilization. As the years have 
passed his earnest and consecutive labor has 
brought to him success and now he is resting 
in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former 
toil. 

* » » 

JAMES McCLURE. 

In business and public affairs which have 
contributed to the prosperity and progress 
of Calhoun county, James ]\lcClure has 
taken an active part. He was born in Lan- 
caster county, Pennsylvania, in the town of 
Bart, December 17, 1824, his parents being 
John and Susan (Hull) McClure. John 
McClure, the grandfather of our subject, 
was born in the north of England, and his 
wife, Eliza, was a native of Scotland. When 
a young man he became a resident of Penn- 
sylvania, and there followed the blacksmith's 
trade, which he had learned in his native 
countr}-. He also owned a farm in Bart 
township, and there both he and his wife 
died at an advanced age, both having passed 
the eightieth milestone on life's journey 
when called to their final rest. The father 
of our subject was also a native of the town 
of Bart, while the mother was born in Stras- 
burg township, Lancaster county. The 
former followed the occupation of farming 
and spent his entire life in Bart township, 
where his diligence and unremitting labor 
enabled him to acquire a good li\ing for 
himself and family. Both he and his wife 
were more than eighty years of age when 
called to their final rest. In religious faith 
they were Presbyterians and in political 
views the father of our subject was a Demor 
crat. This worthy couple were the parents 
of twelve children : John, Eliza and Samuel, 
who are now deceased: Da\id ; Christiana; 



238 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Martha; James, our subject; Francis; Jo- 
seph ; Amanda ; Jane ; and one \vho died in 
infancy. 

James McChire resided in his native 
town until after the close of the Civil war. 
He obtained his education in the schools of 
the neighborhood and in Strasburg- College, 
in which he was graduated with the class of 
1850. Having thus obtained a good educa- 
tion, he was well fitted to instruct others, 
and engaged in teaching school in both Bart 
and Strasburg townships for a number of 
terms. Learning the profession of civil en- 
gineering, he has followed it to the present 
day, although other business has occupied 
his attention to some extent. On leaving 
the Keystone state, in 1865, he made his way 
westward to Illinois, taking up his abode in 
Sterling, where he was engaged in business 
as a contractor and civil engineer. For six 
and one-half years he remained in Sterling 
and thence came to Calhoun county, loAva, 
in the spring of 1872, locating one mile 
south of the village of Lohrville, although 
the town had not been established at that 
time. Only at rare intervals were homes 
found, for all was wild and new, and the 
work of civilization and progress seemed 
scarcely begun. Securing land from the 
speculators he at once began the task of de- 
veloping a new farm upon the frontier. He 
secured two hundred acres of land at a cost 
of four dollars per acre. His nearest neigh- 
bor was three miles distant and that family 
had also just arrived in the coimty. Mr. 
McClure made the journey to Iowa by team 
and lived in true pioneer style for many 
years until advancing civil iatio-n had brought 
all the comforts and conveniences known to 
the older east. He remained upon the old 
homestead until 1888, and he still OAvns that 
property. During all these years he carried 



on general farming and also engaged in 
civil engineering. He placed his land under 
a high state of cultivation and in early 
spring time the fields were green, giving 
promise of golden harvests in the autumn. 
In the year 1888 he removed to Lohrville, 
where he erected his present residence, rent- 
ing his farm, from which he derives a good 
income. 

On the nth of November, 1853, Mr. 
McCIure was united in marriage to Joanna 
^\llkinson, who was born in Paradise. Penn- 
sylvania, in November, 1831. For thirty- 
five years she traveled life's journey by his 
side, but on the 8tli of November, 1899, they 
were separated by death, his wife being 
called to her final rest. Unto this worthy 
couple were born seven children, and with 
the exception of Frazer, who' died in in- 
fancy, all are yet living. The others are : 
Franklin, who is engaged in the real-estate 
business in Chicago and married Nellie Way, 
by whom he has one child. Earl ; Charles, 
who follows general merchandising in Lohr- 
ville and wedded Fanny Campbell, by whom 
he has five children, Guy, Lee, Frazer, Os- 
car and Elmer, but Oscar died at the age 
of one year; Aldus, who is engaged in car- 
pentering in Lohrville and married Alma 
Moriarity, who died leaving a daughter. Ad- 
die ; William, who is a civil engineer of 
Lohr\-ille and married Nora Christman, by 
whom he has two children, Julia and De 
Los ; Mary, the wife of Fred Hulett, a fann- 
er residing nar Lohrville, by whom she has 
six children, Carrie, Gordon, Jessie. Ray, 
.Viva and Lee : and Anna, the wife of Ed 
Richey, a merchant owning and conducting 
a department store in Somers, Iowa, by 
whom she has four children, Ethel and Roy, 
now deceased, and Floyd and Frank, who 
are with their parents. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



239 



Mr. McClure has led a \ery busy and 
useful life. Indolence and idleness are ut- 
terly foreign to his nature, and although he 
has put aside the arduous cares of the farm, 
he has few leisure moments, his attention 
being occupied by civil engineering and 
many other interests. He is a member of 
the Civil Engineers' Association of Iowa. 
In his political views he is a stalwart Re- 
publican and for ten years he has filled the 
office of county surveyor. For four years 
he acted as postmaster in his own home be- 
fore the village of Lohrville was founded. 
As a member of the Presbyterian church he 
is very acti\'e and earnest in advancing its 
work and he does everything in his power to 
promote public progress along all lines of 
general good. He is to-day one of the old- 
est residents of his township, but is a hale 
and hearty man although almost an octogen- 
arian. In manner he is pleasant and genial, 
and he receives the veneration and respect 
which should ever be accorded to one of his 
years. In public ofifice he has been most 
faithful to the trust reposed in him and his 
life has at all times been worthy of the high- 
est regard. 



RUDOLPH D. JOHNSON. 

Rudolph D. Johnson, who follows gen- 
eral fanning and stock-raising on section 
13, Elm Grove township, has for a half a 
century been numbered among Iowa's resi- 
dents and his home has been maintained in 
Calhoun county .since 1883. He is a native 
of Indiana, his birth having occurred in Riji- 
ley county, that state, June 8, 1846. His 
father, Thomas Johnson, was a native of 
Maryland, and in Ohio was united in mar- 
riage to Miss Dorcas Scritchfield. Remov- 



ing to Ohio he located in Hampton count}-, 
where he remained for fourteen years, and 
then went to Indiana, locating in Riplev, 
which was his place of abode for fourteen 
years. He was one of its early settlers and 
established his home in the midst of the for- 
est where he liewed out a farm. The vear 
1852 witnessed his arrival in Iowa. He lo- 
cated in Jackson county among its first set- 
tlers and purchased a place upon which a 
few im;>rovements had been made. There 
he carried on farming and reared his family, 
spending his remaining days upon the home- 
stead there. He passed away in 1873. ^^ 
the age of si.xty-seven years, and his wife 
died in Indiana in 185 1. He was afterward 
married again, his second wife surviving 
him for about a year. 

Rudolph D. Johnson was a little lad of 
only six summers when the family came to 
this state and upon the home farm in Jack- 
son coimty he was reared, early becoming 
familiar with all the duties and labors that 
fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He ob- 
tained a common school education, and in 
1875 came to Calhoun county, where he pur- 
chased the two hundred acres of land that he 
now OAVns. He then returned to Jackson 
county, where he carried a daily mail be- 
tween Bellevue andMaquoketa for seven and 
a lialf vears, his capable service giving entire 
satisfaction. In 1883 'i^ took up his perma- 
nent abode in this county, his attention being 
since given to the development and improve- 
ment of his farm. Iowa is noted for its fine 
farms and the splendid impro\-ements found 
thereon, and the proj^erty of Mr. Johnson 
helps to sustain this reputation. His atten- 
tiiiU was given tn the culti\ation of his fields 
and the care of his fruit trees, also to the 
raising of stock. For some years past, how- 
ever, he has lived retired and rents his land. 



240 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



In 1868 Mr. Johnson cast his first presi- 
dential vote, supporting U. S. Grant. Since 
that time he has voted for each presidential 
nominee of the Republican party, for he be- 
lieves firmly in its principles. He has never 
desired or sought office and when elected 
justice of the peace would not qualify. His 
fellow townsmen have besought him to en- 
ter official life, but he has steadily refused, 
content to do his duty as a private citizen. 
He formerly belonged to the Knights of 
Pythias, but has not affiliated- for some 
years. His residence in Iowa covers a half 
century' and through two decades he has 
been identified with public interests in Cal- 
houn county, where he has gained a wide 
acquaintance. He is well known in Lake 
City and in Rockwell City, and is a man of 
integrity and worth, well deserving honor- 
able mention in the biographical history. 



HEXRY HARSHBARGER. 

Henrv Harshbarger is one of the hon- 
ored veterans of the Civil war. who fought 
for the defense of the L'nion when secession 
in the south attempted the overthrow of the 
republic. He is to-day a loyal, faithful citi- 
zen, as true to duty as when he followed the 
starry banner upon the southern battle- 
fields. For a number of years he was con- 
nected with agricultural interests in Cal- 
houn county, but now resides in Lake City, 
where he is engaged in merchandising. 

Henrv Harshbarger was born in Mont- 
gomery county, Ohio, near Dayton, August 
30. 1838. The father. Jacob Harshbarger, 
was also a native of Ohio and there married 
Lucinda Kessler. who was likewise born in 
the Buckeye state, but the parents of both 



were natives of Pennsylvania. Unto Jacob 
and Lucinda seven children were born: 
Elizabeth, the wife of Abner M. Jones, a 
farmer of Warrick county, Indiana; Xancy, 
the wife of Abraham L. Rose, a farmer of 
Russell county, Kansas; Henry of this re- 
view; Christopher M., who is engaged in ag- 
ricultural pursuits in Russell county; Cath- 
erine, who died in Fremont, Iowa, in 1894; 
John, who was a Union soldier in the Civil ' 
war and was killed at ]\Iarks Mills, April 14, 
1863; and Malinda, the wife of Mr. Boals, 
of Fremont county. Iowa. In the vear 
1838 the parents removed with their family 
to Spencer county, Indiana, where the father 
engaged in farming until 1850, when he 
came to Iowa, settling in Keokuk county, 
where he made his home until the fall of 
1878, at which time he removed to Russell 
county, Kansas, and there remained until 
his death. His wife has also passed awav. 
Mr. Harshbarger, whose name intro- 
duces this review, obtained his early educa- 
tion in Spencer comity, Indiana, and also 
pursued his studies in Keokuk county. He 
remained with his father until 1858. when 
he began business on his own account, rent- 
ing a farm in Keokuk county. He followed 
agricultural pursuits till the 6th of August, 
1862, when he ()fl:'ered his services to the 
government, enlisting as a member of 
Company B, Thirty-sixth Iowa Infantry, 
at Ottumwa. The regiment was assigned 
to the Seventh Corps of the Western 
Division, and with his company -Mr. 
Harshbarger participated in the battles 
of Helena, Arkansas, July 4. 1863, and of 
Little Rock, on the loth of August. 
He was also in the Red River campaign and 
the Saline river campaign, and took part in 
a munber of skirmishes, being mustered out 
on the 26th of August, 1865, after a service 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



241 



of three years and twenty days. He \va.= 
loyal and faithful, displaying his bravery on 
many a battle-field. 

On the 7th of September, 1865, Mr. 
Harshbarger returned to his home and re- 
sumed farm work, which he continued until 
the lall of 1875, ^vhen he removed to Cal- 
houn county. Here he began farming in 
Elm Grove township, where he remained un- 
til 1889, at which date he took up his abode 
in Lake City and entered the employ of the 
Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company 
in the machine shops. There he was em- 
ployed until the spring of 1891, when he em- 
barked in his present business. He is en- 
gaged in merchandising, which he success- 
fully follows, and has a well appointed 
store, whereby he has gained a liberal pat- 
ronage. He is the owner of a farm in Chil- 
ton county, Alabama, and is in comfortable 
circumstances as a result of his well directed 
afifairs. 

Henry Harshbarger was married June 
24, 1858. to Mary McVcy, the daughter of 
John B. McVey, a farmer and minister of 
Keokuk comity, Iowa. Tbey now have nine 
children: John M., who follows agricult- 
ural pursuits in Greene county ; Jacob, who 
runs a bus line in Cedar Falls, Iowa ; Chris- 
topher H., also a farmer of Greene county; 
Annie, the wife of George Wingcrson, of 
Calhoun county : Lydia L., the wife of Jacob 
'\^'in!?^erson, of this county, Ora E., who 
mairicd Clinton H. Taylor and lives in Lake 
City; Edward, who is engaged in teaming 
in the mountains of .Mrmtana : Fred and 
Herbert, who are resident farmers of Car- 
roll coimty, Iowa. The mother died August 
30, T882, and in Lake City on the 17th of 
April, 1897, ^^i"- Harshbarger was again 
married, bis second union being witli De- 



borah A. Frame, a daughter of Levi Cook. 
They now occupy a pleasant home in Lake 
City, and have many warm friends in the 
comnumity. Socially our subject is connec- 
ted with the Zerubbabel Lodge, F. & A. M., 
and has attained to the thirty-second degree 
of the Scottish Rite. He also belongs to the 
Lander Post, No. 156, G. A. R., and in poli- 
tics he has always been a stanch Republican 
since casting his first presidential vote for 
Abraham Lincoln. While residing in Elm 
Grove township he served as assessor, clerk 
and trustee, filling each office for two 
years, and since coming to Lake City he has 
served as a member of the city council for 
six years. He belongs to the Methodist 
church and his wife holds membership in the 
Woodlawn Christian church. Throughout 
all his career he has been true to the princi- 
ples which inculcate honorable manhood, 
and whether as a soldier in the Civil war, in 
business pursuits or in pri\-ate life he has 
commanded the respect and confidence of his 

fellow men. 

♦-•-♦ 

JOHN J. LANPHIER. 

Canada has furnished to the United 
States many bright, enterprising young men 
who have left the Dominion to enter the 
business circles of this country with its more 
progressive methods, livelier competition 
and adw'uicement more (|uickly secured. 
Among this numl>er is John J. Lanphier, 
who is now so successfullv engaged in mer- 
chandising in Lohrville, Iowa. 

He was born in ^Middlesex county, Can- 
ada, on the 27th of September, 1854, and is 
a son of Anthony and Margaret Crawford, 
both natives of Ireland, the former liorn in 
County Tipperary. the latter in County 



24- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Down. It was during their ciiildhood tliat 
they emigrated to the new world and have 
since made their home in Canada. Through- 
out his active business life the father en- 
gaged in farming with good success, and 
for twenty years lived retired, enjoying the 
fruits of former toil, dying January 28, 
190J. His home was in Middlesex county, 
north of London. Canada. Our subject is 
the fourth in order of birth in a family of 
six children, four sons and two daughters, 
namely : Thomas, now deceased ; Mary 
Ann, James, John ]., Margaret Jane and 
Anthony. 

In the county of his nativity John J. 
Lanphier was reared and educated, pursuing 
his studies in a little country schoolhouse, 
eighteen by twenty-four feet in dimensions. 
Its furniture consisted of ordinary wooden 
benches and a desk built against the wall. 
Our subject remained at home assisting his 
father in the operation of the farm until 
twenty-four years of age, when he took a 
trip across the water on account of his 
health. On his return from Europe he spent 
two years with his father on the home farm, 
and then went to Hot Springs, Arkansas, 
where he remained a short time. 

Returning to- Canada, Mr. Lanphier w-as 
married in February, 1882, to Miss Catha- 
rine Carey, also a native of Middlesex coun- 
ty, and to them have been born six children, 
namely: Vernard, Cyril, Cecelia, Thomas, 
Basil and Kate. In March, following his 
marriage Mr. Lanphier came to Lohrville, 
Iowa, and in April, 1882, embarked in gen- 
eral merchandising. He has been in busi- 
ness here almost continuously since, tlKxigh 
he twice sold out, and in November, 1899, 
he opened his present store. He carries a 
well selected stock of everything found in 
a first-class general store, and bv fair and 



honorable dealing has built up an excellent 
trade, which is constantly increasing. He 
is to-day one of the oldest business men of 
the place, and besides his village property 
owns seven hundred and twenty acres of 
good farm land which he rents. His pos- 
sessions have all been acquired through his 
own well directed and energetic efforts, for 
he is a man of good business and executive 
ability and is able to carry forward to suc- 
cessful completion whatever he undertakes. 
In pf-ilitics Mr. Lanphier is a Democrat, and 
in religious faith is a Catholic. 



ALANSON G. OVERACKER. 

Prominent among the citizens of Cal- 
houn co'unty who have witnessed the mar- 
velous developmnt of this section of the 
state in the past quarter of a century, and 
who have by honest toil and industry suc- 
ceeded in acquiring a competence and are 
now able to spend the sunset of life in quiet 
and retirement, is the gentleman whose name 
introduces this sketch, his home being on 
section 11, Jackson township. 

Mr. Overacker was born in Herkimer 
cottnty. New York, on itlie nth of May, 
1823. a son of Daniel Overacker, Jr., who 
was a native of the same county. His grand- 
father, Daniel Overacker, Sr., was of Ger- 
man descent. The family was founded in 
this country by three brothers who came 
from the fatherland and settled in New York 
at an early day, two of the number bedim- 
ing residents of Herkimer county, while the 
other made his home on the Hudson river. 
The father of our subject grew to manhood 
in his native county and there married Miss 
Margaret Brown, also a native of the Em- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



243 



pire state and a daughter of S(iuire Brown, 
who was another ol the pioneers of Herki- 
mer county and served as a drum major in 
the Revolutionary war. From Herkimer 
county, Daniel Overacker removed to Onon- 
daga county, New York, and settled on a 
farm near Liverpool, where he died in 1834, 
at which time our subject was only eleven 
years old. His mother then returned to 
Herkimer county, where she reared her 
family. 

Alaiison G. Overacker receiveil a good 
education, attending first the common 
schools and later the Clear Valley Academy. 
He engaged in teaching school for a few 
temis and also learned the cooper's trade in 
early life, which occupation he continued 
to follow for some years. On coming west 
in 1859 he worked at his trade in Chicago 
and other Illinois towns until 1861, when 
he purchased forty acres of wild land in De 
Kalb county, that state, and turned his at- 
tention to agricultural pursuits. He was 
also a mail contractor and was in the em- 
ploy of the government for about six years. 

While a resident of that county, Mr. 
Overacker was married in 1867, to Mrs. 
Clara Holmes, a widow, who died in 1873. 
She was born in Fayette county, Iowa. Her 
father was a pioneer and settled in Fayette 
county, but now lives at Fort Dodge. He is 
a brickmaker by trade. Having no children 
of their own, Mr. and Mrs. Overacker 
adopted a child, John F. Overacker, who 
becaine an inmate of their home at the age 
of two years and was reared and educated 
by them. He now has charge of the home 
farm and is meeting with excellent success 
in its operation. He married Miss Felkey 
and they have two children, Clara and 
Gertrude. 

In March, 1878, Mr. Overacker came to 
Calhoun county, Iowa, and purchased three 



hundred and twenty acres of raw land, which 
he at once commenced to break, fence and 
improve. Ui>on his place he erected a small 
house which in later years was replaced by a 
more commodious and pretentious structure. 
He built a good barn and other outbuildings, 
set out fruit and shade trees and now has 
a very desirable farm under a high state of 
cultivation. He has sold some of the or- 
iginal tract but still retains one hundred and 
sixty acres of the old homestead. He com- 
menced life for himself a poor man but has 
ever made the most of his advantages, being 
industrious, energetic and thoroughly relia- 
ble, and deserves great credit for the success 
that he has achieved. 

In politics Mr. Overacker is independent, 
voting for the man whom he believes best 
qualified for office regardless of party lines. 
He cast his first presidential ballot in 1840 
for W. H. Harrison, his campaign cry being 
"Tippecanoe and Tyler, too." Socially he 
is a member of the blue lodge and chapter 
of the Masonic fraternity, at Lake City, 
where he was initiated into the order. He 
has now been a resident of Calhoun county 
for twenty-seven years, and in its growth 
and prosperity he has been an important fac- 
tor, giving his support to all enterprises cal- 
culated to promote the moral, social or mate- 
ria! welfare of the community in which he 
lives. He is widely and favorably known 
and commands the respect and confidence 
of all with whom he is brought in contact. 



ABRAHAAI M. WESTVEER. 

Abraham M. Westveer is the owner of 
the finest drug store in Calhoun county. It 
is a credit to Lake City and the proprietor 
is classed among the progressive business 



244 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



men, who through the conduct of his in- 
dividual enterprises is also contributing to 
the general prosperity. Mr. A\'estveer is a 
native of Holland, Michigan, born April 4, 
1870. His parents, James \\'. and Cather- 
ine (Gcedgeluk) \\'est\-eer, were both na- 
tives of the Netherlands and in the year 183S 
the father crossed the Atlantic to America, 
settling first in Xew York, whence he re- 
moved to Michigan about 1858. By his 
marriage he became the father of five chil- 
dren : Frances, the wife of Rev. G. J. Hek- 
hins, of Chicago; Abraham ]\I., of this re- 
view ; A. J., who is assistant postmaster in 
Holland, Michigan; William J., also a resi- 
dent of Holland ; and Jeanette, who is still 
with her parents. 

In the public schools of Holland Mr. 
Westveer obtained his elementary education, 
which was supplemented by study in Hope 
College, and thus by liberal mental training 
he was well prepared for the practical and 
responsible duties of business life. The year 
1885 witnessed his arrival in Iowa. He 
took up his abode in Eagle Grove, where he 
engaged in the drug business and there he 
remained until 1887, when he went to Chi- 
cago, where he also conducted a drug store 
until 1895. H^ f'l^''' again went to Eagle 
Grove, where he purchased a drug store, con- 
tinuing the business for two years, on the 
expiration of which period he came to Lake 
City and established what is now the finest 
drug store in Calhoun county — a store which 
would do credit to- a city of twice its size; 
It is well arranged, neat and attractive, and 
he carries a large line of fresh drugs and 
everything foimd in a first-class drug store. 
He thoroughly understands the business of 
propounding prescriptions, knows the use of 
the various remedies which he carries and 
has gained a large trade. 



On the 1 2th of July, 1900, was cele- 
brated the marriage of ]\Ir. Westveer and 
Miss Martha M. Heitz, of Oshkosh, Wis- 
consin, a daughter of Joseph Heitz, who was 
fomierly engaged in the publication of a 
newspaper there, but is now living" retired. 
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Westveer was born one 
child, but it died in infancy. He is a valued 
representatives of various fraternities. He 
belongs to the Knights of Pythias lodge, in 
which he has filled all the offices and is now 
past chancellor, while for two terms he has 
been a delegate to the grand lodge. He also 
holds membership relations with the Knights 
of the IMaccabees and is well known to his 
brethren of these orders, who hold him in 
the highest regard. His business record is 
very commendable for he owes his success 
entirely to his own efforts, working his way 
upward by determined perseverance, capable 
management and untiring industrv. 



SAMUEL G. CRAWFORD. 

The prosperity of any community de- 
pends upon its business activity, and the en- 
terprise manifest in commercial circles is 
the foundation upon which is builded the 
material welfare of town, state and nation. 
The most important factors in public life at 
the present day are therefore the men who 
are in control of successful business inter- 
ests and such a one is Samuel G. Crawford, 
of Lolu'ville, Iowa. 

He was born in Whiteside county, Illi- 
nois, December 27, 1852, and comes of good 
old Revolutionary stock, his great-grandfa- 
ther. Colonel Crawford, having served with 
distinction in the war for independence un- 
der General Washington. His grandfather. 




S. G. CRAWFORD. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



247 



Thomas Crawford, was born near Lancaster, 
Pennsylvania, and after reaching manhood 
conducted one of the early hotels in the Dis- 
trict of Columbia. There our subject's fa- 
ther, John B. Crawford, was born December 
2^, 1820, while his wife, who bore the 
maiden name of Nancy J. Kilgore, was born 
in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, in 
1827. In 1844 he started west, traveling 
by way of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, 
and finally located in Sterling, Illinois, where 
his marriage occurred, Mr. Crawford be- 
coming one of the first business men of that 
place. There he engaged in merchandising 
for many years, and also carried on farming 
and stock-raising, being a great lover of fine 
stock. He was one of the first to introduce 
Durham cattle into that locality. In 1883 
he came to Calhoun county, Iowa, and em- 
barked in the banking business at Lohrville, 
where he made his home until called to his 
final rest on the 26th of September, 1901. 
He commanded the respect and confidence 
of all with whom he was brought in con- 
tact either in business or social life, and was 
highly respected and esteemed l)y all who 
knew him. His wife still survives him and 
continues to make her home in Lohrville. 
Of their two children our subject is the older, 
the other being Mrs. C. H. Wise, of Lohr- 
ville. 

Samuel G. Crawford passed the days of 
his boyhood and youth in Sterling, Illinois, 
and acquired his education in its public 
schools. He began his business career as 
bookkeeper and cashier in a mercantile estab- 
lishment at Sterling belonging to his uncle, 
D. M. Crawford, and was subsequently teller 
in the First National Bank of that place. 
He held the latter position for eight years, 
and during that time accjuired an excellent 
knowledge of the banking business. Mr. 
Crawford came to Lohrville, Iowa, in De- 



cember, 1 88 1, and the following January em- 
barked in the general banking business un- 
der the firm name of S. G. Crawford & Com- 
pany, his father, J. B. Crawford, and his 
uncle, D. M. Crawford, being the company. 
This partnership continued until 1892, when 
Charles H. Wise was taken into partnership 
and the name was changed to Crawford, 
\\"ise & Company. Our subject has not con- 
fined his attention wholly to the banking 
business, but for the past fifteen years has 
been quite extensively interested in the rais- 
ing and breeding of short horn cattle. He 
owns a farm of one hundred and sixty acres 
within the corporate limits of Lohrville, on 
which he keeps about fifty head of thorough- 
breds. He has held several public sales, 
and at the last disposed of forty-three fine 
animals, which brought on an average of 
two hundred and seventy dollars per head, 
one bringing eight hundred dollars. As a 
cattle dealer he has become widely known 
and has made shipments to all parts of the 
United States — east, west, north and south. 
He is an excellent judge of stock and is now 
most efiiciently serving as president of the 
Iowa Short Horn Breeders Association, 
which position he has filled for the past two 
years. His cattle are among the finest raised 
in this section of the country, and he takes a 
commendable pride in the same. 

On the 15th of October. 1878, Mr. Craw- 
ford was united in marriage with Miss Mary 
D. Wallace, who was born in Holmesville, 
Pike county, Mississippi, and is a daughter 
of Dr. Jesse and Courtney N. (Quinn) \\'al- 
lace, the former a native of Cumberland 
county. Pennsylvania, the latter of Missis- 
si])pi. Our subject and his wife have three 
children : Jessie W., John B. and Julia. 

In religious faith Mr. and Mrs. Craw- 
ford are Presbyterians. As a Republican 
he takes quite a prominent and inlluential 



248 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



part in local politics and is a recognized 
leader in public affairs. He has been a 
member of the coimty committee a number 
of years and was chairman of the same in 
1901. Lohrville was incorporated in 1882, 
and yir. Crawford has since served as its 
mayor several terms with credit to himself 
and to tlie entire satisfaction of the general 
public. 



E. B. McCLURE. 



One of the most reliable and capable rep- 
resentatives of the active working service of 
the Sioux City division of the Chicago & 
Northwestern Railroad Company is E. B. 
McClure, who since the 27th of June, 1882, 
has been a representative of this line. He 
was born in Wyoming, Jones county, Iowa, 
November 29, 1865, and is a son of William 
and Maria ( \\'esson) McClure. The father 
■ was born in Bath, Steuben county. New 
York, February 3, 1819, and was a son of 
General George McClure, a native of Ire- 
land, who when nineteen years of age left 
the green isle of Erin and crossed the 
broad Atlantic to the new world. The year 
1790 witnessed his arrival, and when the 
United States became engaged in a second 
war with England he espoused the cause of 
his ad<ipted land. With his family he re- 
moved to Illinois at a very early date, settling 
in Elgin. He first wedded Eleanor Bole 
and their marriage, which occurred in 1795, 
was blessed with four children : Finley, who 
was born in 1796, died October 18, 1847, <'t 
Bath, New York. Mary, born July 18, 1798, 
died at the age of sixteen months. James 
Bole, born February 16, 1800. died May 5, 
1826. Sarah, born February 16. 1803. died 
August I, 1846, in Chicago. The mother 



of this family passed away on the i6th of 
June, 1807, and on the 28th of January, 
1808, General ]\IcClure was again married, 
his second union being with Sarah Eliza 
Wells, who was born November 17, 1793, 
and died in 1873. She was a daughter of 
^lajor Benjamin and Sarah Wells, the form- 
er a surgeon in General Washington's army 
during the war of the Revolution. By the 
second marriage of General McClure there 
were born the following named : George 
Wells, who was born April 25, 1809, was 
killed by the Indians, July 22, 1834, while 
on a trip to California. Eleanor, born Sep- 
tember 17, 1810, became the wife of Stephen 
K. Toulellot and removed to Wyoming. 
Iowa, where she died in Januarv', 1901. Julia, 
born December 14, 1812, died in Wyoming, 
Iowa, April 19, 1891. Mary Eliza, born 
May 10, 1 81 5. l>ecame Mrs. Jennison and 
died in Nacogdoches, Texas, July 19, 1839. 
Benjamin Wells, born October 11, 1816, 
died in \\'yoming, Iowa, May 2, 1875. ^^'iH- 
iam, born February 3, 18 19, was the father 
of our subect. Henry, born Augtist 31, 
1821, died June 7. 1823. Henry C, born 
August 26, 1823. is now residing in Read- 
ing, Shasta county, California. Margaret, 
born May 14, 1826, is living in Dundee, Illi- 
nois. The father of this family spent his 
remaining days in Elgin, Illinois, where he 
died August 15, 1851, at the age of eighty 
years. 

William McClure accompanied his par- 
ents on their removal westward and for 
sometime resided in Elgin. Illinois. At the 
time of the excitement attending the discov- 
ery of gold in California, he went to that 
-State and was engaged in the search for the 
precious metal until 1851, when he returned 
to the Mississippi valley, settling in Dundee, 
Illinois, where he ranained until i8^8, when 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



249 



lie removed to Jones county, Iowa. There 
lie purchased a tract of land, and in connec- 
tion witli its cultivation engaged in the con- 
duct of a grocery store in the town of Wyom- 
ing. He married Miss Maria Wesson, who 
was born October 2"], 1827, in Canada, and 
spent her last days in \\'yoming, Iowa, 
where her death occurred April 15, 1869. 
Four children were born unto \\'illiam I\Ic- 
Clure and his wife, two of wlicni are still 
living, the brother of our subject being W'. 
H. ]\IcClure, who resides in Fontanelle, 
Adair county, where he is publishing a news- 
paper. He formerly served as postmaster 
and at the present time is representing his 
district in the state legislature. 

E. B. McClure, whose name introduces 
this record, obtained his early education in 
the schools of Wyoming, Iowa, and in Turn- 
er Junction, Illinois. Subsequently, he went 
to Clinton, this state, where he maintained 
his residence until his removal to Lake City, 
in December, 1886. He served an appren- 
ticeship as a machinist in the Chicago & 
Northwestern Railroad shops at Clinton, 
completing a full Lerm of four years. He 
then was made fireman on the main line of 
the Chicago & Eastern Iowa division, serv- 
ing in that capacity for three years, when on 
the "th of October, 1889, he was promoted 
to engineer on the northern lo'wa division, 
his run being mostly from Lake City to 
Tama. On the i6th of November, 1901. he 
was made road foreman of engines and en- 
ginemen on the Sioux City division, and 
under his supervision there are forty-six en- 
gines, fifty-seven engineers and fifty-five fire- 
men. During the entire time he was run- 
ning upon a locomotive he was never injured 
and nothing coiuld induce him to leave his 
engine during his hours of dutv. His ad- 



vancement has come in recognition of his 
faithfulness and fidelity. 

On the 3d of October, 1888, was cele- 
brated the marriage of Mr. McClure and 
Miss Edna Toliver, of Lake City, a daughter 
of J. j\I. Toliver, lawyer and civil engineer 
of that place. They have twO' sons: Lu 
Marion, born September i, 1889, and Neal 
William, born May 20, 1892, both now with 
their grandparents. Mrs. McClure was born 
January 2, 1867, in Jefferson, Iowa, and 
with her parents came to Lake City in 1870. 
She died February 2, 1902. We quote the 
following: "A true wife and mother, she 
gave inspiration, energy and jo}' continuous- 
ly to the home, and as the days went by 
larger and purer thoughts came and life 
seemed sweeter, and the home and family 
hearth more and more attractive. She uni- 
ted with the Presbyterian church of this city, 
February 27, 1887, and lived an exemplary 
Christian life, always active in the church 
when free from the cares at home. As a 
daughter she was obedient, thoughtful and 
loving, as a wife she was devoted and true, 
as a mother consecrated and faithful. The 
highest exemplification of her character was 
in the role of wife and mother, where she 
attained the ideal. Her Christian cliaracter 
was reflected in the home and home life. 
Maintaining her interest and activity in the 
church and society circles she made her chief 
object the maintenance and beautification of 
the home. It was always a safe and sure 
refuge from the cares of his occupation for 
the now bereaved husband. It was a home 
of comfort and sympatliy for the husband 
and sons. She brought to domestic relations 
a large and natural talent and liberal educa- 
tion in music, both vocal and instrumental, 
as well as taste for art and literature, and 



250 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



had always in reserve her best efforts in 
these lines for those who were admitted to 
the home circle. Cheerful and companion- 
able, it was a pri\ilege to know her, but 
only those who enjoyed an intimate ac- 
quaintance knew the breadth, strength and 
beauty of the lo\-ely and lovable character. 
That she should ha\-e been called away from 
family and home while life was at its merid- 
ian is beyond the discernment of the finite 
mind, when human judgment is bowed in 
humble submission and through its tears 
says, 'Thy \\'ill be Done." "' The funeral 
services w ere held in the Presb}i:erian church 
by the pastor who received her into the 
church and officiated at her marriage. There 
has never been a larger or finer floral display 
at any funeral in the county and this in- 
dicated how sincere was the regard of Mrs. 
McClure's many friends. The remains were 
interred in the cemetery at Lake City, but 
for years to come the influence of her beau- 
tiful home and Christian life will remain as 
a benediction to all who knew her. Mr. 
!McClure belongs to Zerubbabel Lodge, No. 
240, F. & A. M., and also to Cypress Chap- 
ter, No. 99, R. A. M., and to the Brother- 
hood of Locomotive Engineers. He has 
continuously remained in the railroad ser\ice 
since entering upon his bifsiness career and 
has splendidly combatted with the work 
which he has chosen and in which h« has 
won advancement. 



D. E. NORRIS. 



In the commercial circles of Lake City, 
D. E. Norris is well known. The enter- 
prising and progressive spirit of the west is 
exemplified in his life for by persistent pur- 



pose and unfaltering industry he has worked 
his way upward to a leading position among 
the progressive men of Lake City where he 
is now conducting a bakery. He was born 
in Ontario, Canada, February 14, 1863. His 
father, John Norris, was a native of England 
and after arriving at years of maturity he 
wedded Anna ^larrison, a native of Scot- 
land, the marriage being celebrated in Buf- 
falo. New York. The father was a baker In- 
trade and is still living in Ontario. In his 
family were the following children : Mary, 
the wife of Daniel Winter, a resident of On- 
tario: Daniel, who is living in Lake City; 
Agnes, the wife of Jacob Potter, of Buffalo, 
New York; Emma, deceased'; Rahob, the 
wife of \\'illiam Hubbard, lx)th now de- 
ceased ; John, who is living in Chicago ; 
Fred, who has passed away ; William, a resi- 
dent of Toronto; Lucy, the w'ife of Abra- 
ham Kemp, of El Paso, Illinois; Louisa and 
Albert, v.ho are residents of Ontario; Edgar 
G., who makes his home in Toronto: and 
James G., also of Ontario. 

D. E. Norris, whose name introduces 
this record, obtained his early education in 
the schools of his native count}-, after which 
he entered upon life's practical duties by 
learning the baker's trade in Ontario under 
the direction of his father, with whom he 
was associated in business until 1888 — the 
year of his removal to the west. He then 
took up his abode in Dubuque, Iowa, and af- 
terward was in Buffalo, Chicago and Sterl- 
ing, Illinois, for successive periods. Later he 
went to Canada, where* he continued for a 
year and a half, and then returned to Carroll 
county, where he remained three months, 
and on the 7th of January, 1895, he arrived 
in Lake City, where he purchased a bakery 
which he has since conducted. He now has 
a well appointed establishment, characterized 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



251 



bv neatness, and its goods, of excellent qual- 
ity, find a ready sale so that Mr. Xorris is 
now receiving a liberal patronage from 
which he derives a good income. 

On the I ith of August, 1887, Mr. Xorris 
was united in marriage to Miss Kate Winter, 
of Ontario, Canada, a daughter of James 
and Katherine (Daugherty) Winter, also' of 
Ontario. The home of our subject and his 
wife has been blessed with one son, Law- 
rence E., who was born September 17, 1891, 
and is with his father. The mother died 
December 31, 190 1, and her loss was deeply 
mourned in the community for she had made 
many friends here. Socially Mr. Norris is 
connected with the Independent Order of 
Odd Fellows, and is a worthy exemplar of 
the spirit of that fraternity. He owes his 
business success entirely to his own efforts, 
and his aiterprise and diligence have formed 
the foundations of the prosperity which he 
is now enjoying. 



WILLIAM B. LONG. 

Among the bra\e men who devoted the 
opening years of their manhood to tlie de- 
fence of our country from the internal foes 
who sought her dismemberment was Will- 
iam B. Long, now a prominent resident of 
Jackson township, Calhoun county, Iowa, his 
home being on section 29. He is a native 
of Ohio, born in Xoble comity, February 
13, 1846, and is a son of David A. Long, 
who was born in Loudoun county, Virginia, 
in 1820. His paternal grandfather, John 
Long, was also a native of the Old Domin- 
ion, and was a soldier in the war of 181 2. 
-At an early day he removed U) Ohio and 
became one of the first settlers of what is 



now Guernsey county, where in the midst 
.of the virgin forest he cleared and improved 
a farm. It was during the boyhood of 
David A. Long that the family removed to 
Ohio, and there he was reared in much the 
usual manner of farmer boys in a frontier 
settlement. He married Miss Catherine 
Brill, a daughter of Michael Brill, who was 
also a pioneer of the Buckeye state, and they 
subsequently removed to Noble county, 
Ohio, where he acquired considerable prop- 
erty, but in later years gave it all to his sons, 
with the exception of the old homestead con- 
sisting of one hundred and twenty-seven 
acres. There he still resides, being now an 
old man of eighty-two years, highly re- 
spected and esteemed by all who know him. 
His wife died about 1877. Unto them were 
born four children, three sons and! one 
daughter, of whom William B. is the eldest. 
The others were J. E., now a resident of 
Bondurant, Polk county, Iowa; W. A., who 
resides on the old home farm in Ohio ; and 
Rheuelma Taylor, of Lake City, Iowa. 

The subject of this sketch grew to man- 
hood on the old homestead in Ohio, early 
acquiring an excellent knowledge of all the 
duties which fall to the lot of the agricul- 
turist and obtaining a good common-school 
education. When the country Became in- 
volved in civil war, he responded to the presi- 
dent's call for troops by enlisting Septeml>er 
I, 1862, inCompany G, Seventy-eighth Ohio 
Volunteer Infantry, which was assigned to 
the Second Brigade, Third Division. Seven- 
teenth Army Corps, under the command of 
General Sherman. His fir.st engagement was 
the battle of Kenesaw Mountain, followed 
W the Atlanta campaign and the siege of 
Vicksburg. He was in the reserve on the 
march to the sea and participate<l in the last 
battle of that campai'gn. Later he marched 



252 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



with his command to Washington, D. C, 
and took part in the grand review in that 
city. The war having ended he returned to 
Columbus, Ohio, and was honorably dis- 
charged from the service on the 17th of June, 
1865. While at the front he was ill in the 
hospital at Memphis, Tenneesee, for six 
weeks, and was confined to the hospital at 
Cairo, Illinois, for three months with fever. 

After leaving the army Mr. Long re- 
turned to the old home farm in Noble coun- 
ty, Ohio, and was there married on the 23d 
of August, 1866, to Miss Elizabeth M. 
Eagon, who was born, reared and educated 
in that county, her father, John Eagon, be- 
ing one of its early settlers. After their 
marriage they located on a farm adjoining 
the old homestead, and there Mr. Long en- 
gaged in farming until coming to Calhoun 
county, Iowa, in the fall of 1884, at which 
time he purchased his present farm of one 
hundred and seventy-eight acres on section 
29, Jackson township. To the improvement 
and cultivation of this place he has since de- 
voted his energies, and now has one of the 
miost desirable farms of its size in the county. 
He has built a good house, barn and out- 
buildings, has fenced the entire tract, and 
set out a fine orchard of choice fruits, cover- 
ing three acres. He raises a good grade of 
stock, making a specialty of Hereford cattle, 
and now has about twelve head of high grade 
animals upon his place. Since coming to 
this state he has also engaged in auctioneer- 
ing and has cried many sales throughout Cal- 
houn and adoining counties. 

The Republican party has always found 
in Mr. Long a stanch supporter of its prin- 
ciples since he cast his first presidential ballot 
for General Grant in 1868. He was elected 
and served as justice of the peace for six 
consecutive vears, and has also filled the of- 



fice of supervisor of highways. A friend of 
education and our public school system, he 
served for years as a member of the school 
board and was president of the district a part 
of the time. He is a member of the Cal- 
houn County Mutual Insurance Company, 
and has been a delegate toi county conven- 
tions. 

Mr. and Mrs. Long are the parents of 
four sons, namely: Frank T., who is now 
married and engaged in farming in Sac 
county, Iowa ; Amor A., who is also mar- 
ried and follows farming in Jackson town- 
ship, Calhoun county, where he Is also serv- 
ing as assessor; David E., a farmer of this 
county; and Ernest M., who assists in carry- 
ing on the home farm. 

Our subject and his wife are members of 
the Christian church of Lake City, and he 
is also connected with Auburn Lodge, No. 
201, A. F. & A. M., having been made a 
Mason at Kennonsburg, Ohio, in 1867. 
Their home is the abode of hospitality, and 
they occupy an enviable position in the es- 
teem of their fellow citizens, having many 
friends throughout their adopted county. 



LEVI COOK. 



Levi Cook, a retired farmer of Calhoun 
county, now li\ing in Lake City, was born 
in Preble county, Ohio, April 14, 1825, and 
is of English lineage, his grandfather hav- 
ing been born in England, whence he emi- 
grated to the new world and became one of 
the pioneer settlers of Preble county, Ohio, 
taking up his abode there, together with 
other members of the family, about 1805. 
His son, Eli Cook, the father of our sub- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



253 



ject, was l.iorn in South Carolina ere the 
emigration of the family to the Buckeye 
state. The grandfather bore his part in the 
early development and progress of Preble 
.county, and there died in 1828. He was of 
the Quaker faith. In his family were eight 
children, including Eli Cook, who was reared 
amid the wild scenes of frontier life. After 
arriving at years of maturity he married 
■ Miss Elizabeth Denny, a native of Virginia, 
and in 1839 they left theirOhio home for the 
west, settling in what is now Henry county, 
Iowa. There the father entered a tract of 
wild land from the government and trans- 
formed it into a valuable farm upon which 
he made his home until his death, which oc- 
curred in 1874, when he had attained the 
age of eighty y-ears, while his wife passed 
away in February, 1874, at the age of seven- 
ty-two. In their family were twelve chil- 
dren : Levi : Mrs. J. Susan Lamb, now de- 
ceased; John and Joel^ who have passed 
away; Mrs. Phoebe Stanley, also deceased; 
Nathan, Jesse and Jonathan, who have de- 
parted this life; Joseph; Delila, the wife of 
Nathan Bales ; Martha, deceased ; and Lewis, 
who is living in California, 

Levi Cook was a youth of fourteen years 
when he accompaniel his parents to this 
state and in the common schools of Henry 
county he continued his education which had 
been begun in Ohio. He afterward engaged 
in farming for a few years, and then became 
connected with the milling business, which 
claimed his attention for fourteen years, or 
until 1865, when the mill was destroyed by 
fire. He then removed with his family to 
Madison county, Iowa, where he engaged in 
farming until 1869 — the year of his arrival 
in Calhoun connty. Here he purchased land 
in Jackson township, and fur manv vears 
was numbered among the progressive and 



enterprising agriculturists of the commun- 
ity, but in 1889 he put aside all Ijusiness 
cares and took up his abode in Lake City, 
where he is now living a retiretl life, enjoy- 
ing a well earned rest. His business career 
was one of untiring industry and unfalter- 
ing honesty, and he well deserves the success 
which crowned his efforts. 

On the 30th of March, 1848, Mr. Cook 
was united in marriage to Miss Ursula ^\'il- 
son, a native of Parke county, Indiana, a 
daughter of Payton and Anna (Holliday) 
Wilson, the fomier a native of Kentucky 
and the latter of North Carolina. Her par- 
ents removed to Iowa from Indiana in 1836 
and here the father followed farming until 
his death, which occurred in 1868, when he 
was seventy-four years of age, while his 
wife died in 1859. Mrs. Cook had two 
brothers and five sisters, and of the family 
four are now living. By her marriage she 
became the mother of ten children, of whom 
five are living. Tbe complete record, how- 
ever, is as follows : Deborah Ann, the wife 
of Henry Harshbarger, of Calhoun county; 
Emma J. and Phoebe E., both deceased; 
Vestal W., a druggist of Lake City; Eugene 
F., an insurance agent : Marion P., a resident 
of Colgate, North Dakota; Lizzie H.. de- 
ceased; William S., a resident of Chicago; 
Gulialma and Payton E., who have also 
passed away. The parents are members of 
the Christian church, in which ^Ir. Cook 
holds the office of deacon. He has. always 
been true to his profession and his life has 
been upright and honorable. Few men in 
the state have longer resided within its 
borders. He has watched the greater part 
of its development, lived here at the time of 
its admission into the Union and through- 
out all the years he has been loyal to its best 
interc?ts. 



254 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



L. F. DAXFORTH. 

The fitting reward of a well spent and 
honorable business career is retirement from 
labor. Nature seems to have intended that 
man in his declining days shall rest after 
years of former toil. In youth one is am- 
bitious and energetic ; when manhood ad- 
vances there comes mature decision to guide 
one's energies and direct his labors, and if 
he be wise in the conduct of his affairs, hus- 
bands his resources and judiciously places 
his investments, he will acquire, through this 
channel, a comfortable competence if not a 
fortune, and will thereby be aiabled to en- 
joy a well earned retirement. Such has been 
the case with Mr. Danforth, who for a num- 
ber of years was classed among the enter- 
prising merchants of Lake City, and who is 
widely known in Calhoun county as a most 
reliable and enterprising citizen. 

Mr. Danforth was born in Pomfret, 
Windsor county, \'ermont, April 19, 1843, 
and is a son of Hosly and Sarah (Wood) 
Danforth, both of whom were natives of the 
Green Mountain state. The ancestry of the 
family may be traced to Nicholas Danforth, 
who took up his abode in New England in 
the middle of the seventeenth century. Our 
subject was one of four sons, but his broth- 
ers have all passed away and his parents 
are also deceased. He pursued his prelim- 
inary education in the common schools, and 
in 1866 he came to the west, but prior to this 
time he had manifested his loyalty to his 
country by service on the battlefields of the 
south. It was in .August, 1864, that he en- 
listed as a member of Company E, Fourth 
Vermont Infantry, serving with the .\rmy 
of the Potomac. He participated in the 
battle of Cedar Creek, where Sheridan made 
the histcric ride of twenty miles. At length. 



when hostilities had ceased and the country 
no longer needed his aid, he was mustered 
out at Burlington, Vermont, in July, 1865, 
and then returned to his home. 

It was in the following year that Mr. 
Danforth came to the west. He spent one 
winter in St. Louis, and in 1867 he arrived 
in Iowa, stopping for a short time at Coun- 
cil Bluft's. He drove across the state and 
for a time worked in Clinton county, after 
which he went to Boone county, and in 1868 
became a resident of Lake City, where he 
followed school teaching until 1873. Then 
in connection with J. J. Hutchinson, he pur- 
chased the store of Peter Smith, who is ont 
of the honored pioneer settlers of the county. 
Mr. Danforth and Mr. Hutchinson con- 
ducted the business until 1888, when our 
subject purchased his partner's interest and 
carried on the enterprise alone until 1901. 
The ori"ginal store was where the present 
bakery shop is located, just south of the post- 
office. He carried a large and well selected 
stock of merchandise, and his enterprise and 
industry brought to him richly merited suc- 
cess. He did everything in his power to 
please his patrons, his prices were reasonable 
and his business methods honorable. In 
1 90 1 he sold his stock and retired from the 
line of business with which he was so long 
connected. On the organization of the First 
National Bank, he was elected vice-president 
and has since continued in that capacity, also 
acting as one of its directors. He has made 
judicious investments in real estate and is 
now the owner of the Danforth block, also 
his old store Iniilding and several residences. 

In November, 1873, occurred the mar- 
riage of Mr. Danforth and Miss Jennie Fox, 
a native of Pennsylvania, but at the time 
of her marriage a resident of Lake City. 
Iowa. Her father was David Fox. For 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



255 



about twenty-one years they traveled life's 
journey together, but in January, 1894, Mrs. 
Danforth was called to her tinal rest. He 
afterward wedded ]\Irs. Minnie E. Harris, 
nee Decker, of Antigo, \\'isconsin, who was 
born at Viroqua, Wisconsin, in 1867. 

In his political affiliations Mr. Danforth 
has always been a Danocrat ami has been 
honored with a number of public offices, in 
which he has discharged his duties with 
marked promptness and fidelity. He has 
served on the city council for sevei'al years, 
and in an early day was assessor, while for 
two or three terms he was township trustee. 
In 1881 he was elected to represent his dis- 
trict in the state legislature and discharged 
the duties of the office in' a manner that re- 
flected credit upon his party and upon the 
state. In 1901 he was a candidate for the 
legislature, and though the district gave a 
strong Republican majority, electing Mc- 
Kinley l)y se\enteen hundred votes, lie was 
defeated by only three hundred and twenty- 
two votes. The fact that he thus ran far 
ahead of his ticket is an indication of his 
personal popularity and the confidence re- 
posed in him by those who knew him best. 
In his social relations Mr. Danforth is a 
prominent Mason, belonging to Zerubbabel 
Lodge, No. 240, F. & A. M. ; Cyprus Chap- 
ter, No. 99, R. A. M. ; Rose Croix Com- 
mandery, K. T., of Sac City: and to the 
Mystic Shrine. He was the first high priest 
of his chapter and has held many other of- 
fices in the various departments of the craft. 
He has also attained to the thirty-second de- 
gree of the Scottish rite and is a member of 
the consistory. There is no resident of Cal- 
houn county who is held in higher esteem or 
to a greater degree deserves the regard of 
his fellcwmen than does L. F. Danforth, 
who in the various relations of life has ever 

15 



won the respect of bis fellow men by his 
sterling worth, his unwavering purpose and 
his unfaltering devotion to duty. 



ALOIS MEUSBURGER. 

It is astonishing to witness the success of 
young men who ha\'e emigrated to America 
without capital and have worked their way 
upward to a ixjsition of affluence. The readi- 
ness with which they adapt themselves to cir- 
cumstances and take advantage of opportuni- 
ties offered bring's to: them success and wins 
them a place among the leading men of the 
community in which they reside. To this 
class belongs Alois Metisburger, a prominent 
farmer of Garfield township, Calhoun coun- 
ty, Iowa. 

He was born in Austria. November 14, 
1852, and is a son of Alois and Mary (Bu- 
chtle) Meusberger, who spent their entire 
lives in that country. The father, who was 
a farmer by occupation, died at about the age 
of seventy years, and the mother was some- 
what younger at the time o'f her death. They 
were the parents of twelve children, all of 
whom reached years of maturity. The father 
was twice married. 

Mr. Meusburger of this review grew to 
manhood in the land of his birth and was 
educated in the home schools. He also 
learned the cheesemaker's trade, but never 
followed' it after coming to this country. At 
the age of twenty he crossed the Atlantic 
and first located in Chicago, Illinois. He 
soon found work on "a farm, where he re- 
ceived elcA-en and later thirty-five dollars per 
month, and was thus employed for about 
one vear. .\t the end of that time he com- 
menced farming for himself upon rented 



256 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



land in Dallas county, Iowa, and subsequent- 
ly purchased eighty acres of land, making 
his home there for ten years. In ]March, 
1882, he removed to Calhoun county, and 
bought an eighty-acre tract of wild land in 
Garfield township, on which he has since 
made his home. In his farming operations 
he has steadily prospered and has added to 
his land from time to time until he now owns 
four hundred acres in this county and three 
hundred and twaity acres in North Dakota. 
He now rents the most of his land, it being 
operated on shares, but still has charge cf the 
cultivation of eighty acres. He has made 
all of the improvements upon the home place, 
and to-day has one of the best and most de- 
sirable farms in his section of the county. 
For many years he has beai interested in the 
feeding of stock for market, and annually 
ships from two to four carloads of both cattle 
and hogs. He makes a specialty of Here- 
ford cattle, and keeps about one hundred 
head upon his place. He is one of the most 
extensive farmers and stock-raisers of Gar- 
field township. 

In 1876 Mr. Meusburger was united in 
marriage tO' Miss Anna Kronowichter. also a 
native of Austria, who died in 1886, leaving 
two children, Joseph and Albert. He was 
again married in 1889, his second union be- 
ing with Mrs. Emma Moran DeLong. who 
was born in Canada and is a daughter of 
John and Man- (Thompson) ]\Ioran. the for- 
mer a native of Ne^v York state, the latter of 
England. Her father followed farming and 
spent most of his life in Canada, where he 
died at the age of sixty-five years, and his 
wife at the age of seventy. They were the 
parents of seven children, of whom six are 
still living. By her first marriage Mrs. Meus- 
burger had two sons, Edward B. and 
Stalhe W. 



Our subject and his wife attend the Meth- 
odist Episcopal church and he affiliates with 
the Republican party. For five years he ef- 
ficiently served as school director, and has al- 
ways taken an active interest in promoting 
those enterprises calculated to advance the 
moral, intellectual or material welfare of his 
adopted county. His life affords an excel- 
lent example to the young in that he com- 
menced life in the new world without money, 
but having a determination to succeed he in- 
dustriously applied himself until he has ac- 
quired a handsome property and comfortable 
competence. 



WILLIAM W. BUPTOLPH. 

William W. Buttolph. a successful and 
enterprising farmer residing on section 33. 
Logan township, Calhoun county, Iowa, is a 
native of Indiana, his birth having occurred 
in St. Joseph county, on the 29th of July, 
1846. His parents. George and Dorothy 
( Clark) Buttolph. were both from New 
England, the former born near North 
Adams, [Massachusetts, the latter near Farm- 
ington. Maine. On coming to Iowa in 1855, 
they first located near Palo, Linn county, 
but two years later they remoxed to Boone 
county, where they continued to make their 
home throughout the remainder of their 
lives. The father died in August, 1871, and 
the mother passed away March 18, 1895. 

Our subject remained under the parental 
roof until he attained his majority, and was 
given the advantages of a good common 
school education. On starting out in life 
for himself he engaged in breaking prairie 
in Boone county, and in partnership with 
some of his neighbors he owned and oper- 
aced a threshing machine. He also engaged 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



25; 



in farming upon rented land, and as an agri- 
culturist met with good success, being thor- 
oughly familiar with that occupation. 

On the 7th of February, 1876, Mr. But- 
tolph was united in marriage with Miss 
Mar_\- Meyers, who was born in Ogle county, 
Illinois, July 28, 1855, a daughter of Eli and 
Elizabeth (Butfington) Meyers, both natives 
of Dauphin county, Pennsylvania. In the 
early '50s her parents removed' to Illinois 
and settled in Ogle county, being among the 
pioneers of that section. In 1863 they re- 
moved to Boone county, Iowa, and subse- 
quently went to South Dakota, their last 
days being spent in Hutchinson county, 
where ^Ir. Meyers died March 25, 1899, and 
his wife April 17th of the year previous. 
Unto 'Sh. and INIrs. Buttolph were born three 
children, as follows: Alice S., born No- 
vember 6, 1876, died April 7, 1877. Cora 
A., born ]\Iarch 31, 1880. is now the wife of 
Marion Jenks and the\~have two children: 
\'elma A., born October i, 1899; and Letha 
A., born July 4, 1901. Since their marriage 
they ha\-e lived on the home farm with her 
parents. Wallace A., born May 29, 1886. 
is also at home. 

After his marriage Mr. Buttolph con- 
tinued to reside in Boone county for a few 
years, during which time he either operated 
a rented farm or engaged in working land 
on the shares. In the spring of 1881 he 
came to Calhoun county and located nn the 
farm in Logan township, where he now re- 
sides, having purchased the place in 1879, 
when it was all wild and unimproved, but 
he has since transformed the farm into one 
of the most liighly cultivated' and desirable 
places of the township, it being a valuable 
tract of one hundred and sixty acres. He 
also owns another tract of forty acres a half 
mile from his home, which he ])urcliasc(l in 



1890. In connection with general farming 
he is engaged in the breeding of a good grade 
of stock, making a specialty of short horn 
cattle, Percheron horses and Poland China 
hogs, and finds this branch of his business 
quite profitable. He is one of the repre- 
sentative farmers and leading citizens of his 
community and has been called upon to fill 
various local offices, such as school director 
and road super\-isor. His political support 
is always given the men and measures of the 
Republican party. 



JOHN B. BLAIR. 

The life of John B. Blair proves conclu- 
sively that success is not a matter of genius, 
but is the outcome of clear judgment and un- 
faltering diligence. Mr. Blair has acquired 
a comfortable competence entirely through 
his own efforts and is to-day the owner of 
a very valuable farm of one hundred and 
twenty acres, pleasantly and conveniently lo- 
cated within a mile of Yetter. Since March, 
1874, he has resided in Calhoun county, and 
is therefore numbered among its early set- 
tlers. Pennsylvania is the state of his na- 
tivity, his birth having occurred in Crawford 
county, on the 8th of October, 1840. His 
father, James Blair, was a native of the Key- 
stone state, and Moses Blair, the grand- 
father, was one of the pioneers there. Hav- 
ing arrived at years of maturit}', James Blair 
wooed and won ]\Iiss Nancy ^lacElhaney 
and upon a farm in the Keystone state they 
l)egan their domestic life. Five children were 
born unto them in that locality, and in 1849 
James Blair, with his family, removed to 
Wisconsin, settling in Lafayette county. 
Tliere he purchased from the govern- 



258 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ment two hundred and furty acres of 
land which was covered witli timber. 
Clearing away the trees and preparing 
the land for cuIti\-atioii he trans- 
formed it into richly cultivated fields 
and continued to operate that farm until his 
death. His first wife died in Wisconsin and 
he was afterward married again. In the 
family were four sons and three daughters 
who reached years of maturity. 

It is of the old Wisconsin homestead that 
John B. Blair has a vivid recollection, for 
it was on that place that he was reared, 
working in the fields and enjoying the pleas- 
ures in which boys of that period' usually in- 
dulged. The district schools furnished him 
his educational privileges, and when the 
Civil war was inaugurated he responded to 
•his country's call, enlisting on the 30th of 
May, 1 86 1. He had watched with interest 
the progress of events and resolved that if 
the south attempted to overthrow the Union 
he would strike a blow in its behalf. Ac- 
cordingly when a military organization was 
formed in his neighborhood, he joined it, and 
as a member of Company H, Third ^^'iscon- 
sin Infantry, went to the front, his regiment 
being attached to the army of the Potomac. 
In many important battles he faced the en- 
emy's fire, taking part in the engagements 
at Harpers Ferry, \\'inchester. the second 
battle of Bull Run, and the battle of Cedar 
Mountain. At the last named place his 
brother, Robert Blair, was wounded, part of 
his right hand being torn away, thus perma- 
nently disabling him. He was also> in the bat- 
tles of Beverly Ford, Amtietam and Gettys- 
burg, and after the last named he went to 
New York and aided in enforcing the draft. 
When the disturbance was quelled in the 
metropolis, Mr. Blair returned to Rappahan- 



nock and thence was sent to Chattanooga 
under General Hooker, taking part in the 
Tennessee campaign. He was in the battles 
of Lookout Mountain, Resaca, Dallas and 
Pumpkin Vine Creek. He was also in the 
Atlanta campaign and the battle of Snake 
Creek Gap, and aided in the capture of the 
city of Atlanta, after which he went with 
Sherman on the memorable march to the 
sea, taking part in numerous skirmishes on 
the way. He was also at Raleigh when 
Johnston surrenderedw, and later marched 
through Richhiond and on to Washington, 
participating in the grand review which ter- 
minated the war, the victorious army march- 
ing by the reviewing stand on which stood 
the president. It was the most celebrated 
military pageant ever seen on the western 
hemisphere. Mr. Blair was then sent to 
Louisville, Kentucky, where he was honor- 
ably discharged June 18, 1865. He was 
ne\'er ill or wounded and always escaped 
capture. He remained faithfully at his post 
of duty and received but one furlough, being- 
at home for thirty days in the winter of 
1863. He was at home on the lat of Jan- 
uary. 1864, a day which was so bitterly cold 
that it is memorable in the history of the 
state. 

After receiving an honorable discharge 
]\Ir. Blair returned to his home in Wiscon- 
sin and resumed work on the farm where 
he was reared. He was married in Green 
county, Wisconsin, on the i8th of April, 
1867, to Miss Sylvia A. Allen, a native of 
Ohio, born in Sandusky county, — a daugh- 
ter of J. B. .^llen. who was likewise born in 
the Buckeye state. He was graduated in 
Zanesville, Ohio, and was a successful and 
popular teacher for many years. In 1857 
he removed to Green count^•, Wisconsin,. 



^HE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



!59 



and there again engaged in teaching. He 
spent his remaining days in that county, 
passing away in 1874. 

IMr. and Mrs. Blair began their domestic 
life in Wisconsin and became the parents of 
nine sons and two daughters. William, who 
is married and follows carpentering in 
\\'oonsocket. South Dakota ; Louis J., a 
clerk in the store of H. C. Reman, of Yetter, 
Iowa; Frank C, who is engaged in the res- 
taurant business in Yetter; Fred L., who is 
a student in the medical college at Iowa 
City; Edwin J., at home; Ralph and Harry, 
who are in school ; Minnie J., the wife of 
George Yepson, a farmer near Yetter ; and 
Lizzie, the wife of Jasper Yepson, a mer- 
chant of Yetter. Mr. and Mrs. Blair also 
lost two children in infancy, Thomas B. and 
Lawrence G. 

After residing for some time in Wiscon- 
sin Mr. Blair came with his family to Iowa 
in 1874, purchasing land upon which he 
built a little house. He at once began to 
break his farm, and in the course of years 
made it a very \-aluable tract. His first home 
has long since been replaced by a more mod- 
ern and commodious residence. He has also 
built a barn, put up a windmill, planted fruit 
and shade trees, and added all the accessories 
and conveniences of a model farm of the 
twentieth century. He is raising a high 
grade of stock and from this branch of his 
business derives a good income. On ques- 
tions of national im])ortance he votes with 
the Republican party, but at local elections, 
where no issue is involved, he considers only 
the capability of the candidate and votes in- 
dependentlv. His first ])residential ballot 
supported Abraham Lincoln and was cast 
while he was a member of the army in 1864. 
He has never been an office-seeker, but has 
ser\'ed as road superviscn^ for seventeen vears 



in the township and five years in his district. 
He is now township trustee, and he has been 
a delegate to various county conventions. 
Socially he is connected with the Odd Fel- 
lows Lodge of Yetter, having been made a 
member of the crganization in Auburn. He 
likewise belongs to the Grand .\rmy Post at 
Lake City and finds pleasure in recalling the 
incidents that occurred when he was upon 
the tented field or in the luidst of battle. He 
is to-day as true to his duties of citizenship 
as wdien the country needed his aid and he 
folloW'-ed the stars and stripes through the 
south. He gives his support to all measures 
that tend to advance the material, intellec- 
tual and moral welfare of the comnnmity, 
and as a representative of the farming inter- 
ests of the county is very widely and favor- 
ably kiiowm. 



LEVI D. ATOX. 



Levi D. Aton, a well-known contractor 
and builder of Lake City, Iowa, and an hon- 
ored veteran of the Civil war, has here made 
his home since July, 1870. He was born 
in Pennsylvania on the 4th of March. 1844, 
and is a son of Rufus .\ton and Eucebia 
(Mead) Aton, who were born, reared and 
married in Pennsylvania. The father was 
a brickmaker 1w trade, and followed that oc- 
cupation throughout his active business life. 
.\t an earlv dav he removed to Erie county. 
Ohio, and worked at his trade in Venice some 
vears, but his last days w'ere spent in De- 
troit, Michigan, where his death occurred. 
His widow still survives him and now re- 
sides in Ohio. Our subject has three broth- 
ers, L. G., D. M. and C. M., residing in Ful- 
ton county, Ohio, and also a half sister, Eliz- 
abeth, the wife of Jnhn Sjwde. 



26o 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



yir. Aton, of this review, passed his boy- 
hood and youth in Oliio', and received his 
education in the common schools of that 
state. On the 15th of May, 1861, he en- 
listed, together with his brothers, L. G. and 
D. ^I., in Company I, Thirty-eighth Ohio 
Volunteer Infantry, which was assigned to 
the Army of the Cumberland. He partici- 
pated in the battles of Mill Springs and Cor- 
inth, besides numerous skirmishes, and also 
took part in the raid against Bragg. Later 
he wag in the battles of Stone River and 
Jonesboro, Georgia ; the engagements around 
Atlanta, and the march to the. sea. On his 
way ta Raleigh he received the news of Lee's 
surrender. Mr. Aton was detailed and 
served six months in the L'nited States Ar- 
tillery, and later re-enlisted, remaining at 
the front until hostilities ceased, and serv- 
ing in all four years and two months. Dur- 
ing this time he was given a twenty-eight 
day furlough, and then rejoined his regi- 
ment at Chattanooga, Tennessee. When 
the war was over he was ■ honorably dis- 
charged at Cleveland, Ohio, in July, 1865, 
and returned toi his home in that state. 

Mr. Aton found employment at repairing 
vehicles, being thus engaged for two years. 
In 1868 he went to DeKalb county, Illinois, 
where he first worked as a han'est hand, and 
remained at that place for eighteen months. 
At the end of that time he came to Lake 
City, Iowa, arriving here in July, 1870, and 
on the 2d of the following August was 
united in marriage with Mrs. Caroline C. 
Hogle, widow of John Franklin Hogle, who 
was an old schoolmate and army comrade of 
our subject. Mr. and Mrs. Aton have two 
daughters living, namelv : Frances, wife of 
Ed Leatherbury, a lumberman of Sherwood, 
lo'wa : and Ida E., wife of Jack Cockran, of 
Lake City. The four sons bom to tliem 
died in infancv and earlv childhood. 



During the first few years of his resi- 
dence here Mr. Aton worked at anything 
which he could find to do, and then took 
up carpentering, which he has since followed 
with marked success. As a contractor and 
builder he has erected many of the residences 
of Lake City, and is to-day one of the car- 
penters of the place. Since casting his first 
presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln in 
1864, Mr. Aton has affiliated with the Re- 
publican party, but has never cared for the 
honors or emoluments of pu1>Iic ofifice, pre- 
ferring to give his entire time and atten- 
tion to his business interests. He is an ac- 
tive member of Lake City Post, No. 156, G. 
A. R., and his wife holds meml>ership iu' the 
Presbyterian church. They are widely and 
favorably known, and are held in the high- 
est esteem bv their manv friends. 



GEORGE COATES. 



Georg-e Coates is acceptably filling the 
position O'f postmaster at Farn'hamville and 
has been honored with other local offices in 
wbich his fidelity to duty and faithful serv- 
ice have won him high commendation. He 
was born in Rutland county, Vermont. Au- 
gust 21, 1843, 'i^'d 's t'''^ SOI'' <^^ Charles W. 
and Lucintla ( Haradon) Coates. The father 
was born in Connecticut and the mother in 
the Green Mountain state. Charles \\'. 
Coates devoted his time and attention to 
farming and spent the greater jxirt of his 
business career in Vennont, but in 1847 ^^' 
cided to seek a home in the broad west 
with its many opportunities. He therefore 
made his way to Wisconsin and in 1848 
went to Kane county, Illinois, where he 
remained until atout 1867. In that year he 
arrived in Inwa, where he spent bis remain- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



261 



ing days, passing away at the advanced age 
of eighty-one years.' His wife still survives 
him and is residing in Farliamville, hav- 
ing traveled for more than eighty years upon 
the join-ney of life. The father of our sub- 
ject was a very industrious and hard work- 
ing man and his life was ever honorable and 
upright, so that he left to his family an un- 
tarnished name and an example which is in 
many respects well worthy of emulation. 

George Coates is one of a family of five 
children, all of whom are living. He was 
but a boy when his parents locaited in Illi- 
nois and there he pursued his education in 
the district schools, acquiring a good knowl- 
edge of the elementary branches of the Eng- 
lish language. In his youth he followed gen- 
eral farming and when_a boy also worked ^t 
the mason's trade. He was but eighiteen 
years of age when in 1861 he responded to 
his country's call for aid, enlisting in Com- 
pany A, Fifty-second Illinois Infantry. 
With his regiment he went to the front and 
participated in all the engagements in which 
he took part. He entered the service as a 
private but was promoted to the rank of ser- 
geant and when hostilities had ceased he 
was honorably discharged in 1865. Brave 
and loyal he was ever found at his post of 
duty, defending the starry banner and the 
cause it represented. 

I\Ir. Coates came to Iowa in 1866 and 
for five years he resided in Benton county, 
after which he removed tO' Marshall county, 
which was bis home for ten years. On the 
expiration of that period he located in Jas- 
per county, and afterward removed to Web- 
ster county, where he purchased a farm of 
two hundred and forty acres and lived there 
for nine years, until age and overwork \n- 
duced him to rent the farm and move to 
town. For the past si.x _\-ears be has made 
his home in Farnhamxillc. Fnr a number of 



}ears he filled the position of justice of the 
peace and was also' town assessor. In the 
fonner position his "eA-en handed justice" 
won him high commendation, for he ever 
discharged his duties without fear or favor. 
He has also been school director and the 
cause of education has profited by his actions 
and able sen-ice. He is the present postmas- 
ter of Farnhamville, having been appointed 
hv President Roosevelt, and entered upon 
his term of oftice on the ist of January, 1902. 
In 1868 Mr. Coates was united in mar- 
riage to ]Miss Matilda Rogers, a native of 
Chauaucpia county. New York, and they now 
have four children : Fred, Georgia, Helen 
and Addie. Socially ]\Ir. Coates is con- 
nected with the Masonic fraternity, having 
been made a Mason in Belle' Plains Lodge, 
Xo. 175, F. & A. M., in Benton cormty, thir- 
tv-four ^•ears ago. He is known as an ex- 
emplary member of the craft and in his life 
shows forth its beneficent spirit. He also 
has pleasant relationships with his old anny 
comrades through his membership in the 
Grand Army Post at Gowrie. To his duties 
of citizenship he has ever been loyal, whether 
in civic office or upon the battlefields of the 
south, and the qualities of an upright man- 
hood ha\e won him high esteem in the com- 
munity in which he makes bis home. 



HENRY C. HUTZELL. 

Si.xteen years have passed since Henry 
C. Hutzell came to Calhoun county, and 
during this period he lias been well known 
by reason of his enterprise and progressive- 
ness in his farm^ work. He was born in 
Washington, Maryland, on the 1 7th of Jan- 
uary, 1869, and is a son of Sannicl and Eliza 
( Middk^ough) Hutzell, who were also na- 



262 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



tives of Maryland. Throughout his entire 
business career, the father followed farm- 
ing, but died at the early age of thirty-eight 
years. His wife still sur\ives him and is 
yet living in Maryland. In their family were 
seven children, namely: Henry C. Alice, 
Jacob, John, Samuel, Lilly and William. 

Henry C. Hutzell remained in his native 
state until eighteen years of age and during 
that time mastered the English branches of 
learning taught in the common schools. De- 
ciding to seek a home in the west he made his 
way to Illinois, settling in Ogle comity, 
where he remained for four years, and on the 
expiration of that period removed to Dallas 
county, Iowa, in about 1871. Thirteen years 
passed and in 1886 he came to Calhoun conn- 
tv, where he had previously purchased a 
farm, upon which he now lives. He has one 
hundred and sixty acres oi rich and arable 
land in Twin Lakes township and he also 
leases land, having operated more than four 
hundred acres for several years. He plants 
annually from one hundred to one hundred 
and thirty acres to corn and from ninety to 
one hundred and twenty-five acres to small 
grain while the remainder is divided to hay 
and pasture land. He is likewise success- 
fully engaged in stock raising, keeping on 
hand from forty to ninety head of short horn 
cattle and from eight to twelve head of 
horses. Everything about his place is neat 
and thrifty -in appearance and indicates his 
careful supervision. 

When only twenty-one years of age, an 
important event in the life of Mr. Hutzell 
occurred, for at that time he was united 
in marriage to Miss Susan Middlecauff. who 
was born in Maryland. Their union has 
been blessed with eleven children, namely: 
Edward, Grace. Harvey, Earl, Florence. 
Louis, Benton, Etta, Cecil, Delia and Nellie. 
In his political views Mr. Hutzell is a Dem- 



ocrat, having supported this party since at- 
taining his majority. In religious vicAvs he 
is liberal but at all times he has followed 
the golden rule and his reputation in busi- 
ness circles for honesty and fair dealing is 
alx>ve question. All that he has had has been 
made through his own labors and his efforts 
ha\-e brought to him a very desirable com- 
petence. His worth as a man and citizen is 
widely acknowledged and Calhoun county 
numbers him among its leading agricultur- 
ists. 

< ■ » 

ROBERT L. McCORD. 

Robert L. McCord for many years de- 
\-oted his life to the ministry, but is now 
giving his energy to agricultural pursuits in 
Calhoun county, making his home in Lake 
City. He was born in Bond county, Illi- 
nois, in what was then the town of Bethel, 
but is now Reno, his birth occurring August 
7, 1830. His father, James B. McCord, was 
born in Franklin county, Georgia, August 
15, 1806, and the ancestry of the family can 
be traced to the north of Ireland, whence the 
great-grandfather of our subject came to the 
new world. Robert IMcCord, the grandfa- 
ther, was probably a native of Pennsylvania, 
where different members of the family fol- 
lowed the hatting trade in the city of Pitts- 
burg. In early life, however, he went south 
passing through Virginia into Georgia. 
About 1820 he removed to Illinois, taking up 
his alx)de in Bond county, when his son 
James was a youth of fourteen years. For 
his first wife the grandfather, Robert Mc- 
Cord, niarried'Hannah Black, and after her 
death he wedded Rebecca Johnston. The 
followmg children were of the first union: 
Matilda, who became Mrs. Dixon; Mrs. 
Fidelis Lecpcr ; Mrs. Ellen Short; Mrs. 



x 





R. L. McCORD. 




MRS. R. L. McCORD. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



267 



Xancv \Miite; William and John, who re- 
mained in Columbia, Tennessee, where the 
family resided for about eleven years before 
coming to Illinois : Sarah, who became Mrs. 
Mears ; Robert, who resided in Hillsboro, 
Illinois; Mlrs. Fanny Blizzard; ajid Mrs. 
Marv Mears. Of the second marriage nine 
children were born, as follows : James B. ; 
Lucinda; Mrs. Elizabeth Douglas; Ann- 
demy, who married Rev. Robert Stewart, a 
prominent minister of southern Illinois ; 
Gideon Blackburn; Mrs. Jane Douglas; 
David T. ; one who died in infancy; and 
Louisa, who died aged twenty — making 
nineteen children in the family altogether. 
The father was a soldier in the Black Hawk 
war and was actively identified with the 
early associations which shaped the pioneer 
history of Illinois. Throughout his entire 
life he followed farming, and was alsO' a 
local minister of the Presbyterian church. 
He died in 1841 in Bond county, Illinois, 
when eighty-one years of age. His second 
wife passed awav while in that locality about 

1835- 

James B. McCord, the father of our sub- 
ject, accompanied his parents to Tennessee 
and thence to Illinois. He married ]\Iiss 
Margaret C. Robinson, who was born in 
Lincoln county. North Carolina, August 22, 
1805. In 1845 he removed with his family 
from Bond county to Platteville, Wisconsin, 
where he resided until 1866, when he went 
to Granville, where he was a cabinetmaker 
and turner, and manufactured grain cradles. 
At the time of his removal tO' Wisconsin he 
found there a wild pioneer region, and took 
an active part in its development and prog- 
ress. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. James 
B. McCord, which was celebrated in lid- 
wardsville, Illinois, March 2, 1826, was 
blessed with nine children, namely : William 



R., who was born March 5, 1827, and re- 
sides in Chicago; Joseph B., who was born 
September 26, 1828, and died May 5, 1873; 
Robert L., of this review; Theron Baldwin, 
who was born August 18, 1832, and is now' 
deceased; John D., who was born October 
4, 1834, and is pastor of a Congregational 
church in Chicago ; Edwin K., who was born 
January 19, 1837, and is living in San Fran- 
cisco ; Morris F., who was born June 29, 
1841, and resides in La Prairie, Illinois; 
Eliza Jane, who was born September 7, 
1843, and is the wife of Warren C. Smith, 
of Colusa, California; and Mary Olive, who 
was born in Wisconsin, January 14, 1849, 
and is principal of one of the Austin schools 
of Chicago. The father of this family died 
in Granville, Illinois, August 23, 1874, while 
the mother passed away in W'isconsin, April 
27, 1865. Mr. James B. McCord married 
for his second wife Miss Martha Mopkins, 
the marriage being celebrated October 15, 
1867, 

Robert L. McCord spent the first four- 
teen years of his life in Illinois, where he 
attended the common schools and through 
the summer months followed farming. 
After the reiuoval of the fainil}- to ^^'iscon- 
sin he became a student in the academy at 
Platteville, where he s])ent two years. He 
was also a student in Jjcloit College for a 
year and for three years in the Illinois Col- 
lege at Jacksonville, Illinois, where he was 
graduated in 1856, with the degree of 
Bachelor of Arts. On the expiration of that 
period he matriculated in the Lnion Theo- 
logical Seminary in New York City, and 
for two years was a student in Lane Sem- 
inary at Walnut Hills, now Cincinnati, 
Ohio, where he won the degree of Bachelor 
of Divinity in 1859, when he was licensed 
to preach the gospel. 



268 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Mr. McCord tirst located at Lincoln, Illi- 
nois, where he was pastor of a Congrega- 
tional church for live years. After that he 
was pastor of the Congregational church at 
Toulon. Illinois, until 1878, after which he 
spent four years in Xew Windsor, Illinois, 
and a similar period in Lyonsville. Illinois. 
His next pastorate was in Sheffield, Illi- 
nois, where he remained for six years. In 
1890 he came to Iowa and labored with 
the churches at Lake View and at Silver 
Creek for two or three years, as supply, but 
since that time he has retired from the min- 
istry, although his interest in the church 
and its progress and upbuilding has never 
abated. On March i, 1892, he took up his 
abode at Lake City, and since that time he 
has given his attention to the improvement 
of his farm lands. He has an entire section 
di\-ided into two farm lots, near Lake City. 

Mr. AlcCord was married Septemoer 3, 
1867, at Gran\ille, Illinois, the lady of his 
choice being Helen De Armond Hopkins, a 
native of that town, where her parents, Joel 
and Eleanor (Harrison) Hopkins, were 
early settlers. The former was a native of 
Red Oak. Ohio, and his wife was born in 
Harrisburg, Dauphin county, Pennsylvania. 
When sixteen years of age he accompanied 
his parents on their removal to Granville, 
where his family located in 1834. He is 
still living on the old homestead, but his 
wife died in 1849. ^nto ^Ir. and ]\Irs. Mc- 
Cord have been born five children: Joel 
Hopkins, who is cashier of the bank at 
Early, Sac county, Iowa ; James B., who is 
a medical missionary to the Zulu mission ; 
Mary Eleanor, who became the wife of Rev. 
R. B. Larkin, and went with him as mis- 
sionary to Turkey for two years, and died 
in Colorado, in February, 1900; Robert 
Leigh, who is an attorney in Sac City ; and 



Archibald Wison, who is assistant cashier 
of the Salem Bank of South Dakota. 

]\Ir. McCord has voted with the Repub- 
lican party, but he is a stanch Prohibitionist 
in principle. His life has been earnest and 
the greater part of his time and attention 
have been devoted to the holy calliiag which 
lie made his life work. His influence has 
ever been on the side of all movements cal- 
culated to promote the welfare of his fellow 
men and to cultivate their moral develop- 
ment. 



jOHX H. REXCH. 



\\"ell known in connection with agricul- 
tural pursuits in Calhoun county. John Hen- 
ry Rench has throughout his business career 
carried on general farming, and his life illus- 
trates what it is posible to accomplish 
through earnest, persistent effort. He was 
born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. October 
14, 1823, a son of Thomas and Jane (Hamil- 
ton) Rench, both of whom were natives of 
the Ke}-stone state. The paternal grand- 
father, Thcmas Rench. was also born in 
Pennsylvania and was united in marriage to 
Miss J\Iary Jane Harshman, a native of Vir- 
ginia. He was a miller and farmer following 
the dual occupation in order to provide for 
his family. The greater part of his life was 
passed in ^Maryland but long since he has 
passed away. Thomas Rench. the father 
of our subject, was born on the 7th of 
Jilarch, 1790, and for many years followed 
farming in the Keystone state, but spent his 
last days in Imliana. He served his country 
as a soldier in the war of 181 2 and died Oc- 
tober 31, 1849, in Indiana, while his wife, 
whose birth occurred June 26, 1799, passed 
away in Indiana on the nth of December, 
1865, at the age of sixty-six years. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



269 



During- his early Ixiyliood John H. Rench 
hecame a resident of Indiana and there lie ac- 
quired his education. Tlie occupation to 
whicli he was reared he has made his life 
work, having always followed farming 
and the lessons of industry 'which 
he learned in liis youth have'' since 
proved an important element in his ca- 
reer. It was in the year 1857 that he arrived 
in Iowa, first settling in Dubuque county, 
where he rented a farm upon which he re- 
sided for twenty years. \\'ith each season 
he began the work of plowing and planting 
and when autumn came he reaped the har- 
vests that crcAvned his labors. Little by lit- 
tle he gained a competence, showing that his 
work was not without result. Removing 
from Dubuque to Sac county, Iowa, he re- 
mained in the latter p-Iace until 1892 when 
he came to Calhoun county and purchased 
his present farm in Garfield township. Here 
he has eighty acres of land and his two sons 
each have one hundred and twenty acres, 
so that their aggregate possessions cover a 
half section. The father and sons are asso- 
ciated in their farming operations and are 
successfully engaged in stock raising, mak- 
ing a specialty of Hereford cattle, of which 
the}- have a herd of from twenty-five to 
thirty head. They are all men of good busi- 
ness ability in the line of their chosen work 
and their labors are crowned with prosperity. 
Their corn fields cover about one hundred 
acres, while from seventy-five to eighty acres 
are planted to sma'll grain. The brothers 
now carry on stock feeding and general 
threshing. They have conducted a threshing- 
outfit ever since they were boys. 

In Fayette comity, Indiana, on the ist of 
December, 1853, i\Ir. Rench was united in 
marriage to Miss Martha J. Campbell, a 
daughter of John and Mahala ( Wiley ) 
Campbell, who were natives of Virginia and 



both were born in 1796. Her father was a 
we'll-to-do farmer and for many years re- 
sided in the Hoosier state. He reached the 
very advanced age of ninety-three years and 
his wife departed this life at the age of sev- 
enty-nine years. They were the parents of 
seven children, including ^Irs. Rench, who 
was born in Union county, Indiana, June 
22. 1832. Bv her marriage she became the 
mother of seven children: Adella M., who 
was torii September 17, 1854, and is the 
wife of George Hooper, a resident of Cher- 
okee county, Iowa; Charles D., who was 
born June 15, 1856, and resides on the home 
farm; Albert D., a farmer of this county, 
who was born March 31, 1858, and married 
Cora Churchill, by wliom he has five chil- 
dren : Howard, Winnef red, Florence, Laney 
and Vivian; Florence A., who was born 
April 15, i860, became the wife of Wilbur 
Kidder, of Dubuque counlty, by whom she 
had one daughter. Fanny S., and died Sep- 
tanber 10. 1882; Henry T., who was born 
December 11, 1863, and farms on the old 
home place, where he lives with his wife, 
Mrs. Augusta (Strain) Rench, and their 
three children : Hazel, Methia and Harry ; 
Wilber H.. who was born December 31, 
1865, and lives on a farm in \\''arren county, 
Iowa, with his wife, Mrs. Addie (Bodkins) 
Rench, and their four children, Berdie. \'era, 
Ulah and Viltie; Mahala J., who was born 
December 24, 1868, and is the wife of Will- 
iam B. Batie, a farmer of Sac county, Iowa, 
by whom she has six children — Lewis, 
Thomas. Mattie, Eliza, Johnnie and Helen ; 
Fannie S., who was born August 11. 1871, 
and is the wife of Frank Smith, of Musca- 
tine, Iowa, by whom she has two children. 
Hazel and Katie: Daniel W., who was born 
December 22. 1874, and died in infancy. Of 
the family Charles D. has served for four 
years as township trustee and is the present 



270 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



incumbent in the office, while Henry T. has 
been road overseer for three years. 

John Henry Rencli has ahnost reached 
the eightieth milestone on life's journey. His 
is an honored old age for his life has been 
passed in such a manner as to bring him the 
unqualified esteem and respect of all with 
whom he has associated. His life is 
well worthy of emulation for it shows forth 
the power of industry and integrity. He has 
been straightforward in all his dealings, 
reliable, resolute and enterprising and to- 
day he has a very comfortable income which 
is the reward of his former toil. The familv 
is one of prominence, meriting the warm re- 
gard in which they are uniformly held. 



\^TLLIAl\I H. PHIFER. 

The subject of this sketch has spent al- 
most his entire life in Iowa and has wit- 
nessed the greater part of its development 
and progress. Since 1892 he has made his 
home in Calhoun county, and is now success- 
fully engaged in the operation of his fine 
farm of one hundred and sixty acres on sec- 
tion 36, Jackson township. He was born 
in Sangamon county, Illinois, on the 13th of 
January, 1850, and comes nf a good old Vir- 
ginian family, his_ paternal grandfather, 
^^'i!liam Phifer. having been a native of the 
Old Dominion. The latter spent a number 
of years in Kentucky, and from there re- 
moved to Illinois, becoming one of the first 
settlers of Sangamon county, where he 
opened up a farm and reared his family. 
Subsequently he removed to Iowa, and his 
last days were spent in Marion county, this 
state. 

James Phifer, the fatlier of our subject, 
was born in Kentuckv, Ijut was reared in 



Illinois, and there married Miss Sophia Ann 
Mickey, a native of Ohio, and a daughter 
of Robert Mickey, who had removed from 
that state of Illinois at an early day and 
settled in Sangamon county. There Mr. 
and Mrs. Phifer made their home unjil after 
the birth of three of their children, and in 
1852 came to Iowa, becoming pioneers of 
Jasper county, where he developed a farm. 
On locating there he had to go forty or fifty 
miles to mill, and was forced to endure many 
of the hardships and privations of frontier 
life. In later years he sold his farm in 
that county and located on another fi\-e miles 
south of Mt. Pleasant, where his last days 
were spent. There he died in 1892, at the 
age of sixty-five years. His wife still sur- 
vives him and continues to reside on the old 
home farm. 

In the family of this worthy couple were 
nine children, three sons and six daughters, 
namely : Sarah, now the wife of L. Gundy, 
of Rush county, Missouri; William H., of 
this review : Martha, wife of William Bales, 
of Kansas; John H., a farmer of Calhoun 
county, who married a daughter of Nathan 
Bales; Mary, wife of Al Frame, of Ne- 
braska; Alice, wife of Julius Hunting, of 
Henry county, Iowa; Ida, who is married 
and resides in the same county; Phebe, wife 
of Alfred Bales, of Kansas; and James P., 
of Henry county, Iowa. 

W'illiam H. Phifer grew to manhood in 
Jasper county, Iowa, attending the district 
schools of his neighborhood and aiding in 
the work of the farm. Once during his boy- 
hood he had the pleasure of accompanying 
his father on one of those long trips to mill 
and it was a great experience for the lad. 
He remained under the parental roof until 
he attained his majority, giving his father 
the benefit of his labors upon the farm, and 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



271 



tlien rented land in Jasper county and en- 
gaged in farming on his own account. Sub- 
sequentl)- he owned two different farms in 
Marion county, Iowa, and on disposing of 
his property there he came to Calhoun coun- 
ty, in 1892, and bought one hundred and 
sixty acres of land where he now lives. It 
was a partially improved place, and to its 
further cfevelopment and cultivation he has 
devoted his energies with marked success. 
He has remodeled the house, so that he now 
has a very pleasant residence, has built a 
large barn and has made many other useful 
and sulastantial improvements. He raises a 
good grade of stock and has prosperetl in all 
his undertakings since coming- 10 this county. 

In Marion county, December 20, 1871, 
Mr. Phifer was united in marriage to Miss 
Louisa Gossett, a native of Highland county, 
Ohio, and a daughter of Joseph and Louisa 
Gossett. After the death of her father her 
mother married again and removed to Mar- 
ion county, Iowa, wdiere Mrs. Phifer was 
reared. Our subject and his wife have two 
daughters. Addie, the older, is now the wife 
(if J. \\'. Truex, a farmer of Calhoun coun- 
ty, and they have four children, William 
LeRcy, Myrtle Ethel and Harold. Myrtle, 
the younger daughter, is the wife of John J. 
Lasher, a carpenter of Glidden, Iowa, and 
they have one son, William Lawrence. 

Mr. Phifer has always affiliated with the 
Republican partv since casting his first presi- 
dential vote for General U. S. Grant in 1872. 
While a resident oi Marion county he was 
elected and served seven years as school 
treasurer of Red Rock tnwnship, but has 
never cared for political honors. Both he 
and his wife are members of the Christian 
church of Lake City, and he also belongs to 
the Odd Fellows Lodge at that place. 



ANDREW WOOD. 

Among those who have come from for- 
eign lands to become prominent in liusiness 
circles is the gentleman whose name intro- 
duces this review, the president of the An- 
drew \\'ood Connxmy, controlling what is 
probably the most important enterprise in 
Calhoun county. His success in all his un- 
dertakings has been so marked that his meth- 
ods are of interest to the commercial world. 
He has based his business principles and ac- 
tions upon strict adherence to the rules which 
govern industry, economy and strict, un- 
swerving integrity. His enterprise and pro- 
gressive spirit have made his a typical Amer- 
ican in every sense of the word. What he is 
to-day he has made himself, for he began 
in the world with nothing but his own ener- 
gy and willing hands to aid him. By con- 
stant exertion, associated with good judg- 
ment, he has raised himself to the prominent 
position wdiich he now holds, having the 
friendship of many and the respect of all 
who know him. 

Mr. Wood is a nati\-e of Norway, born 
Alay 12, 1863, and the years of his boyhood 
and youth w^ere passed in that coiintr}% his 
education being obtained in its schools. Nor- 
way has furnished to the United States many 
bright, enterprising young men who have 
left their native land to enter the business cir- 
cles of this country with its more progressive 
methods, livelier competition and advance- 
ment more ijuickl}- secured. Mr. Woml 
was twenty-two years of age when he crossed 
the Atlantic and became a resident of Wis- 
consin, where he secured emiployment in a 
creamery, in which line of business he has 
since continued. He first began operation on 
his' own accoimt in Guthrie Center, Iowa, in 
1894 he organized the Andrew \Vood Com- 



27-2 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



pany and extended the field of his operations 
until he had six creameries in Guthrie coun- 
ty, which have become a part of the Iowa 
& Nebraska Creamery •Company, which has 
its headquarters at Omaha. In the fall of 
1899 ^Ir. Wood removed to Rockwell City 
and built up a large business, but suffered 
considerable loss by fire, which destroyed 
his plant. He then erected his present 
plant, in 1 900-1 901. He has all of 
the most improved apparatus for the 
renovating of butter and the manufacture 
of creamery butter. He handles thirt}-five 
thousand pounds of butter per week, includ- 
ing both the renovalted and the creamery 
butter. He is also extensively engaged in 
handling eggs and poultry and ships about 
one hundred car loads of eggs per year. The 
poultry which he handles is all dressed here 
andrshipped to the east, to the amount of 
twenty car loads annually. Another branch 
of industry of which Mr. Wood stands at 
the head is the manufacture of ice cream. 
The sales of this delicacy amounted to four 
thousand gallons in 1901 and will be double 
that for the season of 1902. Fruit and veg- 
etables are also handled by the Andrew 
Wood Company in large quantities, and em- 
ployment is furnished throughout the year 
to thirty-five men. the business having in- 
creased in volume and importance until it 
ranks first among the leading enterprises of 
this section of the state. His successful out- 
come is attributable to the keen foresight, 
capable management and honorable busi- 
ness methods of Mr. Wood, a gentleman of 
splendid business and executive ability. 

In 1899 Andrew Wood was united in 
marriage to Miss Myrtle Johnson, of Guth- 
rie Center, and unto jthem have been born 
one child, Millie Myra. Mr. and Mrs. Wood 
are well known in this city and the esteem 
in which they are uniformly held is an indi- 



cation of their sterling worth. In religious 
faith ^Ir. Wood is a Methodist. Starting 
out in life for himself with but limited edu- 
cational privileges, working in a humble ca- 
pacity, he became imbued with a laudable 
desire to attain something better and he has 
steadily advanced in those walks of life de- 
manding business ability, enterprise and 
foresight, and to-day commands the respect 
and esteem not only of the community, but 
also in every section of the state in which he 
is known. His business record has ever been 
honorable. He is most loyal to the ties of 
friendship and of citizenship and his history 
well deser\-es a place in the annals of his 
adopted state. 



L. D. HAWKINS. 



There is no art in which more marked 
advance has teen made in the past half cen- 
tury than in photography, such decided prog- 
ress seems to carry it forward almost to per- 
fection. Thoroughly conversant with the 
most improved methods, using the latest ac- 
cessories and thus producing work of su- 
perior order, Mr. HaAvkins, of Lake City, 
has gained a reputation in the line of his 
chosen profession which is not limited by 
the confines of this place or even of the 
county, and his pleasant gallery is well pat- 
ronized. 

Mr. Hawkins is a native of Polk county. 
Iowa, born on the 27th of June, 1868. His 
father, Abraham Hackleman Hawkins, was 
born in Indiana and when he attained to 
adult age he began farming. In his native 
state he was united in marriage to Miss 
Sarah R. Dicken, who was also born in In- 
diana, and about 1865. they left their old 
home to become residents of Iowa, settling in 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



= 73 



Polk county, where they are still living. For 
more than half a century they have traveled 
life's journey together, sharing with each 
other its joys and sorrows, its ad\'ersity 
and prosperity, their mutual love and con- 
fidence increasing as the years have passed. 
On the 2d of November, 1901, they cele- 
brated their goldel^ wedding, many friends 
joining in the wish that they may cmninue 
on life's journey for many years. They be- 
came the parents of fourteen children : Em- 
ily, at home; Marshall, who is a carpenter of 
Coon Rapids, Iowa; Florence, the wife of 
Lou Ellis, of Altoona, Iowa ;\'irgil, a farmer 
of Polk county ; Homer and Roily, who have 
passed away ; Payton and James, who^ died 
in infancy; Barton, a photography of Alden; 
twins, who died in infancy ; L. D., of this 
review ; and Charley and Estee, who are still 
under the parental roof. 

At the usual age L. D. Hawkins began 
his education in the public schools of Polk 
county and continvied his studies through 
the winter season for a number of years. In 
the summer months he worked on the home 
farm and assisted in the labors of fields 
and meadows until 1888, when, believing 
that he would find another pursuit more con- 
genial than farming he learned photography 
"and afterward spent two years upon the 
read. In the spring of 1890 he located in 
Lake City, opened his gallery and has since 
conducted a successful business here. His 
studio is w'ell fitted up and he is thoroughly 
con\-ersant with the best methods used by 
photographers, is informed concerning the 
latest pnxresses and is quick to adopt any 
methods which he believes will improve the 
work. The results which he attains are very 
sat^sfactorv and a liljeral patronage is ac- 
corded him. 

Cn the i6th of October, 1890, Mr. 
Hawkins was united in marriage to Miss 



Myra O. Stevens, of Early, Iowa, and their 
union has been Ijlessed with two children, but 
they lost their daughter, Ruth I., who was 
born August 19, 1895, and died March 13, 
1901. The son, Albert Merle, was born 
December 16, 1899. Socially Mr. Hawkins 
is connected with the Independent Order of 
Odd Fellows and with the Highland Nobles. 
In manner he is pleasant and genial, always 
courteous and considerate and his pleasing 
cjualities have gained him the warm regard 
of a large circle of friends. 



SANFORD H. TOWNSEXD. 

It does not fall to the lot of many men to 
attain aninence in political or military life, 
but before the majority of mankind there 
lies the vast opportunities of the business 
world, in which success may be won through 
persistent purpose, honorable methods and 
capable management, and worthy of emula- 
tion is the history of the man who in the 
surroundings where fate, has placed him 
makes the best of his opportunities, wiiuiing 
a comfortable living by honorable means that 
not only gain liim a competence but also win 
for him the respect of his fellow men. Such 
is the life record of Mr. Tnwnsend. who is 
engaged in the painting business in Lake 
City. 

He was born in DeKallj county. Illinois, 
September 4, 1847, '""is parents being Henry 
and Emily (Harrison) Townsend. both of 
whom were natives of England, their mar- 
riage being celebrated in Linculnshirc, in 
i8j6. The following year they crossed the 
Atlantic to the United States, taking up their 
abode iiT Black Hawk county. New York, 
where the father followed the occupation of 
farm'ng. Thev had ten children, naiuely : 



274 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



John, deceased; Harriet 'SI., the wife of 
George J.Flinn. a resident of DeKalh county, 
IlHnois; William A., of Lake City; George 
F., who is living in Chicago; Sabina, the 
wife of John V. Rowe, of Early, Iowa ; 
Ellen, the wife of William Allen, also of 
Early ; Sanford H., of this review ; Emily 
and Emma, who have passed away; and 
Susan, the wife of Lester Holdredge, of 
Early, Iowa. In the year 1837 the parents 
removed with their family to DeKalb coun- 
ty, Illinois, where the father purchased land 
from the go\ernment and there engaged in 
agricultural pursuits until his death, which 
occurred August 11, 1882; his wife surviv- 
ing until June, 1900, when she, too, passed 
away. 

To the schools of his native county our 
subject is indebted for the educational priv- 
ileges which he enjoyed and through his 
youth he worked upon his father's farm, be- 
ing thus engaged until 1862, when he went 
to DeKalb and learned the painter's trade. 
He had worked at it for about a year and a 
half when he coiild no longer resist his de- 
sire to enter the army and on the 14th of 
May, 1864. he enlisted. Sir. Townsend and 
Emery Mathewson were working at the 
painter's trade in Kane county. Walter 
Kendall, an enlisted man, was home from 
the army and the tales which he told of his 
soldier life caused the boys to enlist. ^Ir. 
IMathewson wished to enlist and made the 
pnjjKJsition to "Sir. Townsend that they 
should join the armv if a paint brush which 
he held in his hand slipped through and fell 
to the floor. The brush was held aloft and 
as Mr. MathcAvson was very anxious to 
go the brush naturally dropped and the boys 
inunediately left their work and Avent to 
Eligin, fourteen miles distant, where on the 
I4di of ]\Iay. 1864, they were enrolle<l with 
the boys in l)lue of Company G. One Hun- 



dred and forty-first Illinois \'oIunteer In- 
fantry, under command of Captain Charles 
Harrington and Colonel Bronson. They 
were sent to Columbus, Kentucky, to do gar- 
rison duty and with the exception of the 
time spent in foraging they were continu- 
ously on duty in Columbus Barracks. Sh. 
Townsend was mustered out in October, 
1864, and at once returned to DeKalb coun- 
ty, where he engaged in painting until 1887, 
when he came to Lake City, where he has 
since worked at his trade. He possesses su- 
perior skill in his line and his services are 
alwa3's in demand. 

Mr. Townsend is also well known in 
musical circles and his love of mttsic and his 
ability in that direction have contributed 
much to musical entertainn;ents not only in 
this place but also in Illinois. In 1882 he 
organized the Townsend orchestra, at Syc- 
amore, consisting of twelve pieces, and for 
a number cif years he furnished music of all 
kinds for theaters, parties and other enter- 
tainments, the orchestra continuing its ex- 
istence until he removed to Iowa. Soon af- 
ter arriving in Lake City he organized an 
orchestra here and he now has charge of 
the music in the Methotlist church of Lake 
City. 

On the 6th of June, 1S69, Mr. Townsend 
was united in marriage to Miss Josephine 
Havens, who was born October 21, 1852, 
in Yates county. New York, the wedding 
being celebrated in Sycamore, Illinois. Her 
father was Albert Havens, of Cortland, Illi- 
nois. Four children have been hern unto 
Mr. and Mrs. Townsend, of whom three are 
living: Cortland, who was born February 
7, 1871, is now assistant cashier in the Citi- 
zens Bank, of Lake City; Ida E., born Oc- 
tober 25, 1873, and now the wife of M. E. 
Hutchison, a lawyer of Lake City ; and Ray- 
mond F., who was born November 5, 1876, 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



275 



and is now a clerk in the Citizens Ijank. Mr. 
Townsend holds membership relations with 
the Modern Woodmen of America and is a 
member of the Methodist church. As a cit- 
izen he is public-spirited and progressive, 
interested in all that pertains to the public 
welfare, and no resident of Lake City has 
more friends than Sanford H. Townsend. 



BEAUMONT E. STOXEBRAKER. 

Beaumont E. Stonebraker is actively 
connected with the commercial interests of 
Rockwell City and is an enteqjrising and 
progressive man, who' in his life exemplifies 
the on-going spirit of the west, — the spirit 
that has led to the wonderful development 
and upbuilding of this section of the country. 
He is numbered among Iowa"s native sons, 
his birth having occurred in Scott county, 
on the nth of January, 1869. His ancestry, 
both lineal and collateral, is distinctively 
.\merican. His parents were Austin F. and 
Maggie E. (Jack) Stonebraker, both of 
whom were natives of Pennsylvania. They 
were married, however, in Scott county in 
'.he year 1868 and took up their alx)de upon 
a farm. After the beginning oi the war the 
father entered the detective sen'ice and was 
thus engage<l from 1863 until 1867. He had 
enlisted in 1861 and was discharged for dis- 
ability after one and one-half years' service. 
In the spring of 1883 he came to Calhoun 
cottnty,. Iowa, where he established a furni- 
ture store, which he successfully carried on 
until his death, which occurred October g, 
1901. His wife still survives him and is liv- 
ing in Rock-Avell City. 

Beaumont E. Stonebraker obtained his 
education in the common schools until si.x- 
teen years of age. when he entered the 

16 



Xorthern Indiana Normal School, at Val- 
paraiso, Indiana, there pursuing the scientific 
course. He spait about eighteen months in 
that institution and by his broader knowledge 
was well equipped for the duties of life. On 
his return home he entered a printing office, 
where he was emplo\'ed as a compositor for 
a year and a half on the Rockwell City 
Leader. In 1887 he was appointed to the 
position of dq>uty count)- auditor and served 
in that capacity for three years. After that 
he became collector of delinquent taxes for 
the county, and when a year and a half had 
passed he purchased a half interest in his 
father's furniture store, of which he has been 
sole proprietor since the death of the senior 
partner. To his father's mature judgment 
and understanding was added the enterprise, 
resolution and ambition of the younger man 
and the firm thus became a very strong one. 
Mr. Stonebraker is now successfully con- 
ducting the enterprise, carrying a large and 
well selected stock of furniture, which he 
sells at reasonable rates, and his business 
methods are so honorable and commendable 
that he enjoys in a high degree the confidence 
of his fellow men. In the year 1897 his 
brother-in-law, Edward Gregg, was elected 
to the office of county auditor, and the board 
appointed Mr. Stonebraker as his deputy 
and when, oni account of ill health, Mr. 
Gregg resigned in January, 1898, our sub- 
ject was appointed by the county board to 
fill out the unfinished term. He later became 
a candidate for the office, at which time 
there were two other candidates in the field. 
His two opjxinenits made an arrangement 
whereby one man' was to withdra\v in fa\-or 
of the other, who was then to make the other 
one his deputy in case of election. In this 
manner Mr. Stonebraker was defeated, al- 
though he polled a very large vote. In the 
discharge of his official duties he has ever 



276 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



been prompt and faithful, his public career 
winning him- high commendation. 

On the 1st of June, 189^, 'Sir. Stone- 
braker was united in marriage to Elma 
Gregg, the wedding being celebrated at her 
home in Rockwell City. She was born in 
Brownsville, Michigan, January 30, 1868, 
and when her parents came to Iowa in 1881, 
the family settled in this county. Here her 
mother died in 1889 but her father is still 
living in Rockwell City. He was one of the 
leading merchants here, entering upon his 
conection with commercial interests in 1882 
and continuing thereon until his retirement. 
One child has been born to our subject and 
his wife, Mary M., who was born August 
7, 1893. In his fraternal relations Mr. Stone- 
braker is an Odd Fellow and is also identified 
with the Modern Woodmen of America and 
the Ancient Order of United Workmen, 
while his wife belongs to the Baptist cuhrch. 
From his boyhood days he has resided in 
this coimty and has a wide acquaintance. 
His life has been marked by a strong deter- 
mination and a true character, and to these 
qualities may be attributed his success. 



OLIVER MICHAEL. 

Oliver Michael is among the more recent 
arrivals in Calhoun county, but already he 
has becoine well known in connection with 
farming interests and is a progressive, wide- 
awake and energetic agriculturist. Mr. 
Michael was born in Kankakee coimty, Illi- 
nois, September 7, 1853, '^'^ parents being 
John and Elizabeth (Tatre) Michael. The 
father, a native of Ohio, became one of the 
early settlers of Kankakee county, where 
he followed general farming and spent the 
remainder of his days, passing away in 1880 



at the age of tifty-nine years. His wife died 
at the age of sixty-seven. She was twice 
married and by her first union had one son, 
John Fundy. The children of the second 
marriage are Sarah. Adelia, Oliver, Albert, 
]Mary and Julia. In his political views the 
father of our subject was a stanch Republi- 
can, endorsing the principles of his party 
and in religious belief was a Protestant. 

On the homestead farm in Illinois, Oli- 
ver Michael spent the days of his boyhood 
and youth and in the schools of Kankakee 
obtained a good knowledge of those branches 
of English learning which fit one for the- 
practical duties of life. After he had at- 
tained to man's estate, he became the owner 
of a tract of land in Kankakee county and 
for some time engaged in geu'cral farming 
there. Later he left the plow to carry ort the 
grain business and for twelve years was well 
known as a grain merchant at Irwin. In 
October, 1899, he arrived in Calhoun county, 
Iowa, and purchased his present farm, upon 
which he has made excellent improvements, 
remodelling the house and adding other ac- 
cessories which have increased the value and 
attractive appearance of the place. Within 
the boundaries of his fann are comprised one 
hundred and sixty acres of land and each 
year his cornfields cover from eighty to one 
one hundred acres. The remainder of his 
farm is devoted to the raising of small grain 
and hay. He also has verdant pastures in 
which he keeps a high grade of short horn 
cattle, horses and hogs. 

On the 22d of November, 1876, was 
celebrated the marriage of Mr. Michael and 
Miss Ella Bigelow, who was born in Joliet, 
Illinois. Ten children have come to their 
home, namely: Edith and Iva, twins, both 
of whom are married ; Arthur ; Nora ; Julia ; 
Charles : Alice : Bell : Josie : and Frank. The 
mother died at Irwin. Illinois, December 27, 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



277 



1896, at the age of thirty-nine years. ]\Ir. 
Alichaei supports tlie Republican party and 
attends tlie Methodist Episcopal cliurch, 
while socially he is connected with the High- 
land Xobles of Rockwell City. The enter- 
prise so characteristic of the west is manifest 
in his career, for when he started out in life 
for himself he had no capital, but possessed 
a strong heart and willing hands, and in the 
field of business he found the opportunity he 
sought for steady advancement to a credita- 
ble position among the men of affluence in 
his adopted country. 



JESSE J. TOOP. 

Among" the agriculturists of Calhoun 
county who are devoting' special attention to 
the raising of stock and are meeting with 
excellent success in that business is the gen- 
tleman whose name introduces this sketch, 
his home being on section 33. Jackson town- 
ship. He was born on the 27th cf April. 
1871, near the city of De Kalb, in De Kalb 
county. Illinois, and is a son of William 
Toop, a native of England, Ijorn in Win- 
frith, in 1836. When a young man of 
twenty years the father emigrated to the 
United States and settled in De Kalb county. 
Illinois, where he conmienced life withdut a 
dollar and in debt. After working for some 
time as a fami hand by the month, he 
rented land and engaged in farming on his 
own account. Prospering in business af- 
fairs, he was at length able to purchase a 
farm of one hundred and twenty acres ad- 
joining the present city of De Kalb, and 
at. once began the improvement of that 
place. As time passed he added to his farm 
until he had one hundred and eighty acres 



of very valuable land under a high state of 
culti\ation. and was accounted one of the 
most thrifty and successful farmers of his 
community. Selling his place in 1881, he 
came to Calhoun count}-, Iowa, and pur- 
chased a half section of land, upon which 
he subsequently located, and to the improve- 
ment and cultivation of which he devoted 
his energies as long as he was able. In 
the development of his farm he was ably 
assisted by his sons. As he was an in- 
valid for several years prior to his death, 
his sons, William I. and J. J., took 
charge of the place and carried it on 
until the father's death, which occurred De- 
cember 3, 1893. William I. now owns and 
operates the old homestead, consisting of 
three hundred and twenty acres, and is one 
of the well-to-do citizens of Jackson town- 
ship. While residing in De Kalb county, 
Illinois, the father married Miss Sarah A. 
\Miiteman, a native of that state and a 
daughter of John Whiteman, who was one 
of the early settlers of De Kalb county. She 
still survives her husband and now makes 
her home with a daughter, Mrs. Florence 
Behrend in Auburn, Iowa. 

The subject of this sketch was a lad of 
ten years when he accompanied his parents 
on their removal to this county and here he 
grew to manhoo<l. acquiring his elementary 
educatinii in its pulilic schools. Later he at- 
tended the Western Normal School at Shen- 
andoah, Iowa, where he was graduated. Af- 
ter completing his education he returned 
Imme and remained with his father until 
his marriage, which was celebrated in Car- 
roll county, Iowa, February 25, 1892, Miss 
Sophia Koppelman becoming his wife. She 
was born in Lockport, Will county, Illinois, 
and is a daughter of Frederick Koppelman. 
a native of Germanv and an earlv settler of 



278 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



A\'ill county. Illinois, whence he removed to 
Carroll county, Iowa, in 1890. Our subject 
and his wife have two children, Elmer and 
Myrtle. 

After his marriage Mr. Toop remained 
on the hi_)me fami one year and during the 
following two years operated a rented farm. 
On the expiration of that period he bought 
the farm where he now resides and has since 
made many improvements upon the place. 
Here he has one hundred and sixty acres 
under a high state of cultivation and sup- 
plied with all the conx'eniences and accessor- 
ies found upon a model farm of the present 
day. He is a breeder of a good grade of 
cattle, pure-blooded Poland China hogs and 
Shropshire sheep, and fattens about two car- 
loads of stock for market annually. In this 
business he has prospered and is to-day quite 
well-to-do. 

Mr. Toop cast his first presidential vote 
for William J. Bryan in 1896, and always 
supports the Democratic party and its prin- 
ciples. Althotigh still a young man lie has 
already met with excellent success in life, 
and his career has been such as to win for 
him the confidence and high regard of all 
with whom he has been brought in contact. 
His wife was reared in the Lutheran faith 
and is a member of that church. 



JOHX W. CRAIG, M. D. 

Dr. John W. Craig is a skilled physician 
and surgeon of Lobrville, Iowa, whose 
knowledge pi the science of medicine is 
broad and comprehensive, and whose ability 
in applying its principles to the needs of suf- 
fering humanity has gained him an enviable 
prestige in professional circles. He was born 
in Canton, Fulton cotmtv, Illinois. Januar\- 



24, 1857, and is a son of Sinnett R. and 
Harriet (Cochran) Craig, natives of In- 
diana and Pennsylvania, respectively. At 
a very early day the Dxactor's paternal grand- 
father, accompanied by his family, removed 
to Fulton countv, Illinois, becoming one of 
the pioneers of that region. At that time 
the Indians had not all left and the land was 
still in its primitive condition. Amid scenes 
common in frontier settlements, Sinnett R. 
Craig grew to manhood, and later engaged 
in farming in Fulton county, Illinois, for a 
number of years. He subsequently spent 
several years in Polk county, Iowa, where 
he owned land, but his last years were passed 
in Greene county, this state, where he died 
at about the age of tifty-five. His witlow 
still resides in that county. In the family of 
this worthy couple were five children, three 
sons and two daughter, namely: Franklin, 
John \y., Alexander, I\Irs. Anna Raaz and 
I\Irs. Josephine Miller. 

The first ten years of his life our sub- 
ject passed in his native county and then 
accompanied his parents on, their removal to 
Iowa. He acquired his literary education in 
the public schools of Illinois and Iowa, and 
at the age of twenty years commenced the 
study of medicine with Dr. Seems, of ^litch- 
ellville, this state. Later he entered the Col- 
lege of Physicians and Surgeons, at Keokuk, 
and was graduated from that institution in 

1 881. Later in the same year he opened an 
office in Lohrville, where he has since en- 
gaged in practice with marked success. He 
came to this place with seven other gentle- 
men, to whose energ)- and progressive spirit 
the place owes much of its advancement. 

Dr. Craig was miarried, November 28, 

1882, to Miss Maria Powers, a native of Al- 
lamakee coimty. Iowa, and a daughter of 
Michael and Margaret (Shuell) Powers, 
who were earlv settlers of Calhoim county. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



279 



their lioine l)eing in Logan township. The 
Doctor and iiis wife have three children, 
namely : Anna M., John W. and Lottie I. 
In [xjlitics he is independent. He was a 
member of the city conncil one term, and is 
now a member of the board of health, but 
has never takai a very active part in public 
atfairs, preferring to devote his entire time 
and attention to his professional duties. He 
is a member of the Mystic Workers of the 
\\'orld. Xo. 122, of Lohrville, and is con- 
nected with the Xorthwestern and the Iowa 
State Medical Societies. He is a close and 
thorough student, a man of deep researcli, 
and his investigations into the science of 
medicine aitd his skillful application of the 
knowledge he has thereby obtained, have 
won him a place in the foremost ranks of the 
medical fraternitv. 



RICHARD A. SMITH. 

The story of the sufferings and bravery 
of those who wore the blue and fought nobly 
for the preservation of the Union, now so 
great and prosperous as a direct result of 
their heroism and devotion to principle and 
country, cannot be told too often. It is 
especially well that those of the younger gen- 
erations should have impressed upon their 
minds that the liberty and happiness which 
they enjoy freely was purchased for them at 
an awful price, and though naught but actual 
civil war in which they were participants 
could give the picture in its entirety, a faint 
idea may be gained in the perusal of the his- 
tory of those who. as in the case of Richard 
A. Smith, exijerienced the horrors of war in 
many of its worst phases. Captain Smith 
was born ini Chenango county. New York, in 
the town of German. May 10. 1828, and re])- 



resents old New England families. His 
father, John Smith, was a native of Ver- 
mont, born November 14, 1782. while his 
mother, who bore the maiden name of Lvdia 
Sawtell, was born in Massachusetts. June 
19, 1792. -They were married in the old 
Bay state, October 10, 1819, and at an early. 
day removed to Chenango county, New 
York. The ancestry of the family, however, 
can be traced further back, for history savs 
that John Smith, a soldier of the Revolu- 
tionary war, was the grandfather of our sub- 
ject. It is certain that there is no taint of 
cowardice in the family for John Smith. Jr., 
the father of our subject, fought for 
the cause of his country in the war of 1812. 
Captain Smith was one of a family of seven 
children, namely : Albert V. L., and 
Qiarles O., both of whom are deceased : Su- 
san B., who is the widow of Isaac Gandv. of 
Wheeling, Missouri ; Philander, who has 
also passed away; Richard A., of this re- 
view; Aleman J., deceased; and Mary L., 
the widow of Luther Wood, of Franklin 
Grove. Illinois. The father of these children 
was called to his final rest December 15, 

1843- 

In the schnnls of his native town Captain 
Smith obtained his early education and when 
a youth of fourteen he was bound out until 
he should have attained his majority. Twice 
he ran away and enlisted for service in the 
Mexican war, but on account of his youth his 
mother succeeded in obtaining his release — 
much to his displeasure. In 1848 he began 
learning the stone-cutting and mason's trade. 
following that pursuit for three years. Be- 
lieving that farming would be more con- 
genial, in 1852 he turned his attention to 
agricultural pursuits, which he followed un- 
til 1856. in which year he removed to Cort- 
land, Illinois, where he engaged in buying 
grain until after the inauguration of the 



28o 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Civil war. The smoke from Fort Sumter's 
guns had hardly cleared away, however, 
when he offered his services to the govern- 
ment, enlisting on the i8th of April, 1861. 
He was mustered into the United States 
ser^-ice 2\Iay 24, 1861, for a term of three 
months, becoming a member of Company F, 
. Thirteenth Illinois Infantry. When it was 
found that the war was to be no mere holi- 
day affair, but would be a long and serious 
struggle, the entire regiment oft'ered its serv- 
ices for three years and was accepted for 
that period. It left Dixon, Illinois, in June, 
and our subject was under command of 
Captain Mayo and Colonel J. B. W'yman. 
W'nb his regiment he was sent to Missouri 
and joined the command of General Fre- 
mont. He participated in the battles of West 
Glaze, Pea Ridge and Salem, and made a 
march of eighteen miles from Raleigh, Mis- 
souri, to Helena, Arkansas. In December, 
1862, he participated in the battle of Vicks- 
burg, under General Sherman, until his right 
arm was shot off by a musket ball. He also 
sustained otther serious wounds which oc- 
casioned his discharge in August, 1863. On 
the 1st of June, 1861, he had been commis- 
sioned second lieutenant of Company F, 
Thirteenth Illinois Infantn,-, and on the 8th 
of August of the same year he was commis- 
sioned first lieutenant. On the 20th of Oc- 
tober, 1862, he was promoted to the rank 
of captain in recognition of meritorious serv- 
ice at Pea Ridge. He was also oft'ered a po- 
sition as major in a IMissouri regiment but 
declined to accept. Twice was he detailed to 
act as judge advocate of court martials in 
Helena, Arkansas, and Raleigh, Missouri. 
His promotion was well merited and his 
bravery and devotion inspired his men to 
deeds of ^■alor. He remained at the front 
until his injuries made field service impossi- 
l)le and then returned to the north. 



In the fall of 1863 Captain Smith was 
elected county treasurer of DeKalb county 
and three times was he re-elected to that po- 
sition, ser\-ing in all for eight consecutive 
years. In 1872 he embarked in the furniture 
business in Sycamore, Illinois, where he re- 
mained for three years and during his resi- 
dence in that place he served as mayor of 
the ,town for two years, leaving the office as 
he had entered it — with the confidence and 
good will of die entire public. Upon aban- 
doning his store he took up farming, which 
he followed successfully until 1884, and then 
came to Calhoun county, Iowa. Here he 
purchased a farm but, renting his land, es- 
tablished his own home in Lake City. Here 
he acted as an insurance agent, writing con- 
siderable business in that line. He was also 
justice of the peace from 1887 until February 
15, 1890, when he was appointed p<istmaster 
by President Harrison and continued in 
that office for four years. He has since 
served as county supervisor for six years, 
and the fact that he has l>een so long contin- 
ued in a position of public trust in the \-ari- 
ous communities in which he has resided 
is an indication of his sterlng worth and his 
absolute fidelity to duty. 

On the 1st of May, 185 1, Captain Smith 
was united in marriage to Roxanna A.Gault, 
who was born June i, 1830, a daughter of 
Thomas and Maria (Andrews) Gault, the 
former a native of Vermont and the latter of 
]Massac!iusetts. They becajne early settlers 
of Chenango county. New York, and two 
sons of the family are still living: Edward 
A., who resides in Chenango county: and 
John Nelson, who makes his home in Chica- 
go, Illinois. Another brother, Carlton Gault, 
died in the service of his country while 
defending the L^nion, at Baton Rouge. Lou- 
isiana. The marriage of Captain and Mrs. 
Smith has been blessed with three children: 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



2»I 



Charles P., who was born in Clieiiango coun- 
ty, New York, on February J7, 1S52, is now 
in Qiicago, where for twenty years he has 
been employed "in the auditor's office of the 
Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad 
Company. Richard S.. born in Cortland, 
DeKalb county, Illinois, June 3, 1856, died 
Septanber 12, 1881 ; and Carl G., born in 
Sj-camore, Illinois, February 10, 1872, is 
now living in Homer, Cortland county, 
New York, where he is engaged in the jew- 
elry business. The parents hold membership 
in the ]\Iethodist Episcopal church and the 
Captain is a leading representative of the 
Grand Army of the Republic. In 1867 this 
organization was formed through the agency 
of Doctor Stevenson, of Decatur, who' spoke 
in .many places in favor of the movement and 
called a meeting which convaied in Spring- 
field, Illinois, resulting in the organization 
of the society of old soldiers which has 
grown so strong in numbers and influence. 
The Captain has sensed as representative to 
the national meertings and has held all the 
offices of Potter Post, No. 1 1 , at Sycamore. 
Twice he has been commander of Lander 
Post, No. 156, G. A. R.. of Lake City, and 
at present is seiwing his third term, the 
honor coming to him in recogiiition of his 
ability and worth. In politics he has been a 
stalwart Republican since the war days. His 
wife is a member of the A\'oman's Relief 
Corps, in which she has filled all of the offices 
and for two years has been its president. She 
has also been department president of the 
Woman's Christian Tanperance L^nion. The 
life record of Captain Smith is in manv re- 
spects well worthy of emulatii m. In business 
he has been trustworthy and reliable, and in 
citizenship loyal and faithful. His name is 
synonymous with all that is honorable in his 
relations between his fellow men and him- 



self and in an unusual degree he enjoys the 
esteem and respect of all with whom he has 
bev-n associated. 



JAMES \\-. WILSON. 

James W. Wilson has since 1890 been a 
representative of the business interests of 
Lake City, where he is engaged in dealing 
in grain, live stock and coal. He is prosper- 
ing in his work, for a liberal patronage has 
been accorded hmi, and in the conduct of 
his afifairs he displays the enterprising spirit 
so characteristic of the west. He was born 
December 31, 1851, in ^Milwaukee, Wiscon- 
sin, a son of John and Elizabeth (McPher- 
son) Wilson, both of whom were natives of 
Scotland, in which country thev were 
reared, educated and married, crossing the 
Atlantic to the new world in 1848. They lo- 
cated in Canada and the father became quar- 
termaster in the Seventh Highlanders, being 
stationed at Quebec, Canada, where his 
death occurred in September, 185 1, a few 
weeks before the birth of our subject. The 
mother then removed to Milwaukee, Wis- 
consin. She died in 1898, and one of her 
two children, the brother of our subject, 
passed away in 1886. 

Mr. Wilson, of this review, sjient the 
days of his early boyhood and youth in his 
native city, and in Portage City, Wiscon- 
sin, and there entered the public schools and 
continued his education until he had ac- 
quired a good knowledge of the English 
language to serve as a foundation for his 
business career. At the age of eighteen he 
removed to Webster City, Iowa, where he 
was engaged in general merchandising, and 
in 1879 'is accompanied his brother to Le- 



282 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



high, Iowa, where they engaged in the mill- 
ing business and also dealt in grain and live 
stock. After five years, however, they sold 
(lit in 1884, going to Dayton, where our 
subject continued in the same line of busi- 
ness. In 1887 he became a resident of Vail, 
this state, and in 1890 arrived in Lake City, 
still continuing in the li\-e stock and grain 
business. He is also dealing in coal here and 
in each department he is meeting with suc- 
cess. He also buys grain at Sherwood and 
his business furnishes an excellent market 
for the fanners of this locality. He an- 
nually buys and ships large quantities of 
grain and many head of stock and is also 
doing a large business in the distribution 
of coal. 

On the nth of December, 1881, Mr. 
Wilson was united in marriage to Miss 
Viola A. Scott, a daughter of E. A. Scott, 
of Dayton, Iowa. They have a pleasant 
home here and their circle of friends is al- 
most coextensive with the circle of their ac- 
quaintances, while their own hospitality ren- 
ders the \\'ilson household a favorite resort 
with all who know them. 



SAMUEL T. HUTCHISON. 

As long as memory lasts the people of 
this country will hold in grateful remem- 
brance the soldiers of the Civil war who, 
at the sacrifice of personal interests and even 
of life, fought for the defense of the L'nion, 
thus maintaining the existence of the repub- 
lic which has taken its place among the great 
powers of the world. Among the boys in 
blue was Samuel T. Hutchison, of Lake 
Cit\% an honored and esteemed resident of 
that place. He was born September 16, 



1840, in Barnesville, Ohio. His father. 
Ebenezer E. Hutchison, was a native of 
Chester county, Pennsylvania, born in 
March, 181 3, and about 1834 he removed to 
Ohio, settling in Belmont county. He mar- 
ried Rhoda Campbell, a native of the Buck- 
eye state, and devoted his energies to work- 
ing as a mechanic and farmer. Mr. Hutchi- 
son maintained his residence in Ohio, pass- 
ing away there a number of years ago. 

Samuel T. Hutchison, of this review, 
obtained his early education in Fairview, 
that state, and was living with his father 
when the south attempted to overthrow the 
L'nion by secession. Among the first to en- 
list, he responded to his countr\-'s call on the 
29th of April, 1 86 1, becoming a member of 
Compan\' C, Twenty-fifth Ohio Infantry, 
under command of Captain Jerry Williams 
and Colonel J. A. Jones. The regiment was 
sent to Virginia and attached to General 
Rosecrans command. At the battle of Cheat 
Mountain Mr. Hutchison was wounded in 
the leg. He took part in the engagements 
at Green Brier, Camp Allegheny and at ]\Ic- 
Dowell, \'irginia, on the 8th of May, 1862, 
and at the last named place was again 
wounded. His injuries forced him to re- 
frain from further fighting until the follow- 
ing August, when he returned to the Old 
Dominion. He was there attached to the 
Eleventh Corps of Seigel's command and 
took part in the second battle of Bull Run, in 
August, 1862, after which he was sent back 
to \\'ashington on account of wounds which 
he sustained in that engagement. Later he 
took part in the memorable battle of Gettys- 
burg, in the siege of Fort ^^'ag•ner, in the 
battles of Honey Hill and Devereau.x Neck, 
where he was shot through the Ijreast, the 
Inillet fracturing his ribs and breastb<ine. 
Tims he was disabled from further service, 




S. T. HUTCHINSON. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



285 



and after being in the hospital for a time 
was granted a leave of absence nntil March 
^o, 1865. He was in Annapolis, Maryland, 
at the close of the war, and after receiving 
an honorable discharg-e he returned to his 
home. He had enlisted as a private, was 
promoted to corporal, then to sergeant, then 
to acting sergeant major, orderly sergeant, 
and when discharged held a commission as 
first lieutenant of Comjiany G, Twenty-fifth 
Ohio Infantry. 

Returning to Masterton, Ohio, Mr. 
Hutchison engaged in teaching school for 
six months, but believing that he might bet- 
ter his financial condition in the west he 
came to Calhoun county, Iowa, in May, 
1866, and for si.xteen months was connected 
with educational work here. His fellow 
townsmen, recognizing his worth and abil- 
ity, called him to public office in the fall of 
1867 t>y electing him county treasurer, and 
in that capacity he served for four years, 
from 1868 until 1871. In 1873 he became 
county recorder and also filled that position 
for four years, while for one year he was 
county supervisor. In 1879 he was elected 
to represent his district, comprising Calhoun, 
Carroll and Greene counties, in the state 
legislature, and proved an able member of 
that body. To each question which came up 
for consideration he gave careful and earnest 
tliought, and supported with zeal and activ- 
ity e\ery movement which he believed would 
contribute to the general good. Since his 
retirement from the office he has given his 
attention to abstracting and real estate busi- 
ness, and later to banking. 

On the 23d of November, 1869, Mr. 
Hutchison was united in marriage to Eliz- 
abeth S. Hold, a daughter of Lorenzo Dow 
and Susana (Houston) Hold, the former a 
native of Virginia, born near Lynchburg, 



while the latter was a native of Ohio. .Mrs. 

Hutchison was also born in the Uuckeye 

state, and by her marriage she has become 

the mother of ten children, seven living : 

Marion E. was born January 31, 187 1, and 

is now county attorney ; Viola A. was born 

August 14, 1872, and is the wife of R. G. 

Pinney, of Hallsville, Missouri; J. Fred was 

born October i, 1874, and is assistant cashier 

of the First National Bank at Rockwell 

City; Jessie B. was born December 30, 1875, 

and is a graduate of Cornell University, 

while in Chicago University she has taken 

a post-graduate course, and is now the wife 

of W. C. Beer, of Ann Arbor, Michigan'; 

Walter E. was born May 17, 1877, and was 

a student in the loAva State University, when 

he enlisted in Company A, Fifty-first Iowa 

Regiment, and was sent to the Philippines, 

where he died August 8, 1899, being buried 

in Lake City, September 15, following. He 

was with General Lawton on two of his 

raids, sailing from San Francisco on the 5th 

of December, 1898, and arriving at Manila 

bay on the Penn.syhahia in January. GeoVge 

G., born May 28, 1881, is a student in the 

Iowa State University. Lucy May and 

Lucian Edgar were twins, born December 

12, 1879, and the former died at the age of 

ten years, wdiile the latter died in infancy. 

Raymond, born August 10, 1884, and Cor- 

rine R., born May 29, 1890, are students 

in Lake City. 

Mr. Hutchison is a prominent member of 
Lander Post, No. 157, (J. A. R., and his wife 
has more than a state reputation in connec- 
tion with the work of the Woman's Relief 
Corps. She belongs to the local organiza- 
tion in Lake City, w hich she joined on July 
15, 1893. In December, 1893, she was 
elected president and held the office for two 
years, while again in 1897 she was chosen 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



to that posLtion. In 1S95 slie was made 
department aide, and in 1896 national aide 
and chairman of the committee on patriotic 
instrnction. In 1897 she was department in- 
spector, and in June, 1891, she was elected 
department president for one year at the 
convention held in Waterloo, Iowa. Mrs. 
Hutchison is a member of the Baptist church 
and takes a very active interest in its work. 
Mr. Hutchison is a man of wnde experience 
and broad mind, who has many friends all 
over the state, being one who is clearly en- 
titled to be classed as one of nature's noble- 
men — a man whose strong individuality is 
the strength of integrity, virtue and deep 
human sympathy. 



CHARLES T. DOWLING. 

■ One of the most popular and influential 
citizens of Calhoun township is Charles T. 
Dowling, who came to this county in the 
spring of 1894. He was born near ^^lenduta, 
LaSalle county. Illinois, August 5, 1859, 
and is a son of Asa Dowling, who was born 
in 1818 in Niagara county, New York, of 
which lijcality the grandfather, John Dowl- 
ing, was an early settler. The father was 
reared and educated in the county of his na- 
tivity, and in 1844 was united in marriage 
with ]\Iiss Sarah Wisner, also a native of 
Niagara county. New York. There they 
continued to make their home until after the 
birth of two of their children, and in 1847 
went to LaSalle county, Illinois, where our 
subject's maternal grandfarther. General 
James Wisner, had prcA^iously taken up a 
large amount of land — several hundred 
acres. ^Ir, Dowling purchased eighty acres, 
which he Ijruke, fenced and improved, and 
later added to it until he owned over two 



hundred acres, which he converted into a 
well improved and valuable farm. His wife 
died in November, 1897, and he now makes 
his home with a daughter in Troy Grove, 
Illinois. 

Charles T. Dowling passed his boyhood 
and youth upon the home farm in LaSalle 
county, early acquiring an excellent knowl- 
edge of agricultural pursuits. Being ,the 
youngest son, he remained on the old home- 
stead after his marriage an<l finally suc- 
ceeded to the place, having purchased the in- 
terests of the other heirs in that property. 
Selling the farm in 1894 he came to Iowa, 
and purchased three hundred and twenty 
acres of land in Calhoun county, where he 
now resides, but has since disposed of one 
hundred and twenty acres of this, retaining 
two hundred acres on section 36, Calhoun 
township, which is his home place. He also 
owms another fann of one hundred and 
twenty acres in Jackson township, this coun- 
ty, and is one of the well-to-do and prosper- 
ous citizens of his community. 

In LaSalle county, Illinois, June 2-j, 
1882, was celebrated the marriage of ^Ir. 
Dowling and Miss Nellie C. Otto, who was 
born, reared and educated in that county. 
Her father, Charles Otto, was an early set- 
tler of Mendota, where he followed the jew- 
eler's trade for some years, but later en- 
gaged in farming near that city. Mr. and 
Mrs. Dowling have five sons living, namely : 
Otto, James Wisner, Frank G., Mark A. and 
Percy L. They also lost one son, Newton 
L., who died in Illinois, at the age of three 
years. 

Mr. Dowling was reared a Democrat and 
cast his first presidential vote for General 
Hancock, but now affiliates with the Re- 
publican i)arty. In his younger years he 
took quite an active and prominent part in 
local politics and was a delegate to numer- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



287 



ous conventions of his party. During his 
residence in Ihnois he was elected and served 
nine years as township clerk and three years 
as county supervisor. He also filled the 
office of township trustee. Since coming 
to Iowa he has given little time to public af- 
fairs, preferring to de^-ote his entire time and 
attention to his business interests. He is, 
however, one of the popular and representa- 
tive citizens of his community, and is held 
in the highest esteem by all who know him. 



ROLLIN BURCH. 



In the pioneer epoch in the history of 
this section of Iowa, Rollin Burch came to 
Calhoun county, and has been an important 
factor in its substantial development and 
permanent improvement. He has seen its 
wild lands transformed into fine farms, while 
industrial and commercial interests have 
been introduced and thus towns have become 
thriving cities. In the work of progress he 
has ever borne his part and has been par- 
ticularly active as a representative of the ag- 
ricultural interests of Logan township, his 
home being on section 6. 

Mr. Burch was born in Chautauqua coun- 
ty. New York, April 10, 1836, a son of Oli- 
ver W. and Mary S. (Tower) Burch, who 
were both born in New York state and are 
now deceased. By occupation the fatlicr 
was a farmer. Our subject reinained with 
his parents until grown and received his edu- 
cation in the common schools near his boy- 
hood home. On leaving home he went to 
St. Clair county, Michigan, where he spent 
two years, being engaged in teaching school 
during the winter months, while through the 
summer season he worked on a farm. In 



1859 he went to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and 
during the two years passed at that place 
he taught two terms of school. 

When the country became involved in 
Civil war Mr. Burch offered his services to 
the government, enlisting in Company D, 
Eighth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, under Cap- 
tain James L. Geddes, who afterward be- 
came a colonel. Subsequently his company 
was commanded by Captain Andrew Geddes 
and still later by Captain Alexander Harper. 
]\Ir. Burch was sworn into the United States 
service at Davenport, Iowa, September 16, 

1 86 1. He participated in the sieges of 
Vicksburg, Shiloh and Spanish Fort, besides 
numerous battles and skirmishes. At Shiloh 
he was captured with some of General Pren- 
tice's men and taken to Mobile, Alabama, 
and later to Tuscaloosa, w;here he was con- 
fined one month under charge of William 
W^urtz, who was afterward in charge of 
Andersonville prison. Mr. Burch was later 
taken to Mobile and from there to Montgom- 
ery, where he was finally paroled May 30, 

1862. He was sent to Huntsville, Alabama, 
by way of Chattanooga, and on to Nashville, 
Tennessee, and then to Cairo, Illinois, and 
St. Louis, Missouri, where he was ex- 
changed in November, 1862. The regiment 
to whch he belonged was reorganized at St. 
Louis, January i, 1863, and then went to 
Rolla, Missouri, and later took a number of 
prisoners of war from St. Lonis to Wash- 
ington, D. C. Returning from Washing- 
ton, D. C, to St. Louis, the regiment soon 
afterwards went down the river and partici- 
pated in the siege and capture of Vicksburg. 
In January, 1864, Mr. Burch re-enlisted, at 
Pocahontas, Tennessee, in 1864, and was 
granted a veteran furlough. At the expira- 
tion of the furlough the regin.ient was sent 
to Memph.is, Tennessee, where they later did 



28S 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



provost guard duty. He was subsequently 
sent with his command to New Orleans, and 
after a short time spent in that city went 
to Spanish Eort and Fort Blakely, taking 
part in the seiges there. Companies D and C, 
Eighth Iowa Infantry, were then detailed as 
a guard for General Canby, serving as such 
until the last of June. 1865, when they were 
ordered to report to their regiment then at 
Montgomery. Alabama, where they re- 
mained until the last of August. The regi- 
ment was then broken up and scattered over 
that state, our subject's company being 
quartered at Tuskegee, Alabama, where they 
remained until January 20,' 1866, and were 
then taken to Selma, Alabama, where they 
were mustered out, being honorably dis- 
charged on the 20th of April, 1866. 

After visiting relatives in Xew York, 
Mr. Burch returned to Iowa in September, 
1866, and settled in Calhoun county, pra"- 
chasing one hundred acres of wild land in 
Jackson township, on which he built a house 
and made other useful improvements. The 
following year he returned to New York, 
where he was married May i, 1867, to ]\Iiss 
Esther C. Hulbert, who was born in West- 
field, that state, October 20, 1842, and re- 
mained with her parents until her marriage. 
The bridal trip of the young couple was 
their journey to Iowa, and they took up their 
residence on the farm w'.iich Mr. Burch had 
previously bought, making it their home for 
eight years. On the expiration of that 
period he traded the farm for one hundred 
and sixty acres of land in Logan township, 
which he at once began to improve and culti- 
vate. He planted thereon both fruit and for- 
est trees, and for eight years successfully 
engaged in its operation. 

Mr. Burch then removed to Rockwell 
City, having been elected county treasurer in 
the fall of 1881, and there made his home 



during the four years he filled that office. 
He owned property in that city. On his re- 
tirement from office he resumed agricultural 
pursuits, having purchased forty acres of 
land in Logan township where he now lives 
and which he has greatly improved. He 
has bought and sold other property, owning 
at one time one hundred and eight acres of 
land, and still retains ninety-four acres, 
which is under a high state of cultivation 
and improved with good buildings. 

Mr. and Mrs. Burch have three children : 
Guy \y., born May 30. 1868; Edwin W., 
born Novemljer 5, 1869; and Denton L.. 
born September 25, 1871. Guy W. is a far- 
mer by occuixition and living near Rockwell 
City. Although only fifteen years of age, 
Edwin W. served as his father's assistant 
in the county treasurer's office for two years, 
and later was engaged in office work with 
G. L. Brower in the land, loan and abstract 
business. He subsequently entered the bank 
of that gentleman, and is now filling the re- 
sponsible position of cashier. Denton L. is 
now engaged in a general store at Port Ar- 
thur. Texas. 

In his political affiliations Mr. Burch is 
a stalwart Republican and his fellow citizens 
recognizing his worth and ability have hon- 
ored him with a number of local offices. 
After serving as sujjervisor for two years 
he was re-elected in the fall of 1877 but re- 
signed before the expiration of his second 
term that he might accept the office of coun- 
ty treasurer, previously referred ;to. He 
was assessor of what is now Jackson, Elm 
Grove, Garfield and Williams townships 
when they were included in Jackson town- 
ship. He also served as the first clerk of 
Logan township and taught the first winter 
school within its borders. He built the sec- 
ond house in the township, and is to-day its 
oldest permanent resident. As a citizen he 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



jSy 



lias always been true and faithful to every 
trust reposed in him. so that his loyalty is 
above question, being manifest in days of 
peace as well as when he followed the old 
flag to victory on southern battle-fields. As 
an honored pioneer and representative man 
of the community he is worthy of the high 
regard in which he is uniformly held. 



W. T. SMITH. 



Almost every state in the Union and 
nearly every country upon the face of the 
globe has sent its representatives to Iowa. 
Its citizenship is of a cosmopolitan character, 
but while varied were the natures of the 
pioneers, and differing in marked degree 
their educational advancement as well as 
financial conditions, the recognition of their 
common perils, the sense of their compara- 
tive isolation and loneliness and the yearn- 
mg of nature for companionship, drew them 
together and fostered feelings of fraternity 
and good fellowship. They soon learned 
to see and appreciate the good traits of their 
neighors and the remembrance of pi(^neer 
pleasures and privations has made the term 
"old settler" a hallowed one. Warm friend- 
ships were formed which only death sev- 
ered. But thirty years or intjre furm a ma- 
terial factor in the lives of men and the 
upbuilding of a comity and within that time 
great changes occur. Perhaps compara- 
tively few of the men who came to Iowa 
with the hope of winning fortune here have 
fully realized their ambition and compara- 
tively few have become known to fame, but 
Calhoun county became, nevertheless, set- 
tled by a law-abiding, honorable class of 
citizens who have acted well their part, and 



have contributed their full share to the ad- 
vancement of this great state. 

Honored and respected as one of the 
earliest settlers, winning success by energy 
in business and straightforward dealing and 
gaining political prominence as the result 
of his loyalty in citizenship, and his fitness 
for leadership, W. T. Smith has left the 
impress of his individuality upon the rec- 
ords of Calhoun county and upon the an- 
nals of Iowa, and the history of this portion 
of the state would be incomplete without 
his life record. Although he now makes his 
home in Texas he yet retains a deep and abid- 
ing interest in the county which was so long 
his place of abode and in which he yet has 
many friends. Mr. Smith is a native of 
Pennsylvania, hisi birth having occufired 
near the town of Saltsburg, Indiana county, 
April 15, 1845. When about twelve years 
of age he became a resident of Port Byron, 
Illinois. His educational privileges were 
somewhat limited, he attending the district 
school for about three or four months each 
winter. Through the remainder of the year 
the duties of the farm claimed his attention, 
and thus his life was cjuietly passed until 
the nth of February. 1864, when at the 
age of eighteen years he enlisted for service 
in the Union army, at Rock Island, Illinois, 
becoming a member of Company G, One 
Hundred and Twent_\--si.\th Illinois Infan- 
try, with which he served until mustered 
out at Springfield, Illinois, about the ist of 
August, 1865. Loyalty and valor marked 
his army experience and he returned to his 
home with a most creditable military record. 

On the 22d of March, 1866. Mr. Smith 
was united in marriage to Miss Amelia 
Jack, a sister of A. N. Jack. Mrs. A. F. 
Stonebraker, Mrs. W. T. Condron and Mrs. 
James Van Home, all of whom are men- 



290 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



tioned in the biographical record of the 
county. In October following their mar- 
riage 'Sir. and Mrs. Smith came to Calhoun 
county, but spent the succeeding fall and 
winter in Fort Dodge, Iowa, returning to 
this county in the spring of 1867. ^Ir. 
Smith rented and occupied the frame house 
of James Van Home on section 22, Lin- 
coln township, and ]\Irs. Smith, who had 
been a successful school teacher prior to 
their marriage, taught the first school, a pri- 
vate one, in Mr. Van Home's home during 
the summer of 1867. ilany of the young 
men now prominent in the affairs of the 
county to-day received their first instruction 
from her. 

In 1868 ]\Ir. Smith and his family re- 
moved to their homestead on section 20, 
Lincoln township, and there he spent the 
summers in farming and the winters in 
teaching school until the fall of 1870, when 
he was elected to the office of co'unt}- treasur- 
er of Calhoun county. His fellow townsmen, 
recognizing his capability and realizing- him 
to be a man of unimpeachable honor, con- 
ferred upon him this public trust, and he re- 
moved to Lake City, then the county seat, 
where he filled the position for four years, 
having been almost unanimously elected for 
a second term, and having the unique dis- 
tinction of having no competitor for the of- 
fice. Elected county recorder, he entered 
upon the duties of that position January i, 
1877, and was re-elected and served for four 
years in that capacity, retiring from the office 
as he had entered it — with the unqualified 
confidence and good will of the public. In 
1877 he removed to Rockwell City, the new 
county seat, and erected the first residence 
there. In his political views he is a stal- 
wart Republican, his support of the party 
arising from a firm belief in its principles. 



He has not only served in the county offices, 
but was also elected by the state legislature 
to the position of a trustee of the Iowa State 
Normal, at Cedar Falls, for a term of six 
years, and his deep interest in the cause of 
education and his just realization of its 
value in the practical affairs of life, led him 
to give effective service to the institution. 

Mr. Smith was associated with the Hon. 
S. T. Hutchinson, of Lake City, in the real- 
estate and abstract business for many years, 
and later with A. X. Jack and J. H. Bradt 
in the same line. In partnership with Mr. 
Jack he also conducted a hardware store for 
a number of years and enjoyed a liberal pat- 
ronage in that line, but at length he dis- 
posed of his interest and removed to Texas, 
on account of ill health. He is now the 
owner and proprietor of the Blanket town 
site and his real-estate operations there are 
contributing in large measure to the sub- 
stantial improvement and upbuilding of his 
locality, as well as proving of financial bene- 
fit to himself. 

By his first marriage Mr. Smith had six 
children who are still living: Eugene H., 
a minister of the Methodist Episcopal 
church, residing in Colorado ; Merle X., a 
professor in the Drew Theological Semin- 
ary, in Madison. Xew Jersey; Wilmot T., 
a merchant in Blanket, Brown county, Tex- 
as: Roy L. and Clarence J., who are attend- 
ing school in Forth Worth, Texas;" and 
Aleck A., who is a student in the home 
school. The mother. Mrs. Amelia Smith, 
died in Rockwell City, August 25, 1890, and 
Mr. Smith was again married September 
30. 1891, his second union being with Miss 
Eliza J. Garnett. of Port Byron. Illinois, 
their home lieing now in Blanket, Brown 
county, Texas. Mr. Smith "has also lost two 
children: Thomas C, aged ten years; and 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



291 



Lillie B., al)out five years of age, her death 
occurring in December, 1879. They were 
laid to rest in Rose Hill cemetery, in Rock- 
well City, where sleeps their mother. 

In his religious faith Mr. Smith is a 
Methodist and has long been a devoted 
member of the church. He was honored by 
the northwest Iowa conference by being sent 
as a lay delegate to the general conference 
of the Alethodist Episcopal church held in 
Philadelphia, in 1884. His devotion to his 
church is quiet and unostentatious but un- 
faltering, and his intluence is ever on the 
side of the right, the true and beautiful. In 
business he has ever been found reliable, en- 
ergetic and trustworthy ; in office loyal and 
progressive; and in every relation of life his 
actions have been guided by manly prin- 
ciples and devotion to the general good. Cal- 
houn county still feels that she has a claim 
upon him and his friends here are legion. 
His work in her behalf has certainly been of 
great benefit and high on the roll of her hon- 
ored pioneers is his name inscribed. 



JAMES GRIFFITH. 

The year 18S7 witnessed the arrival of 
James Griffith in Calhoun county and since 
that time he has been identified with agricul- 
tural interests, to-day owning and operating- 
two hundred and forty acres of land. He 
is a native of Wales, his birth having oc- 
curred on the 5th of May, 1844. His grand- 
father had a brother who served with Well- 
ington's army in the battle of Waterloo. The 
parents of our subject were Morgan and 
Nellie (Evans) Griffith, both of whom spent 
their entire lives in \\'ales. The father was 
a farm laborer. His wife died in 1853, and 



he died about eighteen months later, leaving 
our subject, who was then only ten years of 
age, and two other sons and a daughter. All 
are still living with the exception of one of 
the sons. John is a resident of Nebraska 
and Catherine is the widow of Edward Mur- 
phy and makes her home in Li\-erpool. Eng- 
land. 

James Griffith spent the first thirteen 
years of his life in" the little rock-ribbed 
country of Wales and then began following 
the life of the sea, as a sailor on small coast- 
ing vessels engaged in trade in the British 
Isles. He was thus engaged for about 
eighteen months, when he shipped on an 
ocean vessel and visited many ports in North 
America, South America, the East Indies, 
along the Mediterranean and Genoa, Italy, 
but mostly sailed between Liverpool and 
New York. He also sailed for two years 
between New York and Cuba, and for six- 
teen years followed the life of a sailor, 
spending the last five years on the Great 
Lakes. He gained much knowledge of for- 
eign lands, their people, customs and man- 
ners, but of all the lands he visited he was 
most favorably impressed with "the land 
of the free and the home of the brave," and 
therefore when he resolved to abandon the 
water he became a permanent resident of 
America. 

In the fall of 1874 INIr. Griftith took up 
his abode in Kane county, Illinois, where 
he engaged in farming until the spring of 
1887, finding that a profitalile s(rurce of in- 
come. W'hile there Mr. Griffith was united 
in marriage to Miss Maggie James, the wed- 
ding being celebrated in Aurora, Illinois, on 
the 1 2th of December. 1878. The lady was 
born in New York, in 1859, a daughter of 
Thomas and IMargaret (Evans) James, who 
were born in Wales, but were married in the 



292 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Empire state, whence they removed to Kane 
county, IlHnois. in iS'03. The fatlier \vas 
a farmer by occupation, following that pur- 
suit in support of his family. He had two 
children, Mrs. Griffith and Lizzie, who is 
living in South Dakota. The mother died in 
1872 and the father afterward wedded Mary 
Ann Eynon, who is now living in Kane 
county, Illinois, and by whom he had six 
children. The marriage of our subject and 
his wife has been blessed with six children 
and the family circle yet remains unbroken 
by the hand of death. In order of birth 
they are as follows: Frank AL, who was 
born September 15. 1879; George G., born 
February i, 1S82; Thomas J., born May 5, 
1884, in Kane county, as were the older 
ones; Roscoe C, born in this county, June 3, 
1888; William P., born December 25, 1893; 
and Nellie C, born August 18, 1895. 

It was in the year 1887 that, accom- 
panied by his wife and their three oldest 
children, Mr. Griffith left Illinois and came 
to Calhoun county, where he purchased a 
farm of eighty acres, upon which he has 
since resided, although he has extended its 
boundaries by additional purchases until it 
now comprises two huntlred and forty acres, 
all in one body. Neat and thrifty in appear- 
ance, the farm indicates the careful super- 
vision of the owner and in return for his 
care and cultivation the fields yield him good 
harvests. He also engages m stock-raising 
to some extent. He has held some town- 
ship offices, but is independent in politics. 
Socially he is connected with the ^Masonic 
fraternity, and both he and his wife are ac- 
tive members of the Order of the Eastern 
Star. They are people of the highest re- 
spectability and the warm friendship of 
many acquaintances is extended to them. 
In the life record of such a man as ]Mr. Grif- 
fith there is much worthy of commendation 



and emulation. Starting out for himself at 
the early age of thirteen, he developed self- 
reliance and force of character whicii have 
figured in his life history as important ele- 
ments in winning him the success which he 
to-day enjoys. 



ALVA CARSKADDON. 

Alva Carskaddon, who is connected 
with agricultural interests in Calhoun coun- 
ty, but makes his home in Lake City, is de- 
scended from good old Revolutionary stock, 
his grandfather, John Carskaddon, having 
been one of the heroes who fought for the 
independence of the nation and thus suc- 
ceeded in founding the republic. He became 
a resident of Ohio, and in that state David 
Carskaddon, the father of our subject, was 
born on the 8th of July, 1825. He was but 
ten years of age when the family removed 
to Indiana, casting in their lot with the early- 
settlers of St. Joseph county, their home be- 
ing near South Bend. There amid the wild 
scenes of 'frontier life David Carskaddon 
was reared, making his home in that state 
until 1854, when he came to Iowa, settling 
in Marion county. There he engaged in 
farming until September, 1861, when put- 
ting aside all business and personal consid- 
erations, he offered his aid to his country, 
enlisting as a private of Company K, Ninth 
Iowa Volunteer Infantry. In a short time 
he was elected captain and on the 3d of 
December, 1862, he was commissioned col- 
onel. He participated in twenty-eight im- 
portant engagements and that they were 
among the most disastrous of the war is 
shown by the fact that the regiment lost 
thirty-seven officers, and the killed among 
the private soldiers was equally great in pro- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



293 



portion. Colonel Carskaddon was a brave 
and loyal soldier and his own courage and 
fidelity inspired his men tn deeds of valor. 
He was wounded at Atlanta, Georgia, July 
28, 1864, and was mustered out on the 14th 
of January, 1865. After his return from 
the war he engaged in the furniture and 
stock business. He was a prominent and 
influential man and \\as elected sheriff of 
Linn county. In 1882 he removed to Lake 
City, where he spent his remaining days. 
On the i6th of Alay, 1852, Colonel Cars- 
kaddon was united in marriage to Miss 
Sarah Bates, a nati\'e of Clark county, 
Ohio, born December 2;^. 1830. Two chil- 
dren were born of this union : Alva and 
Harmony. The latter was born January 
II. 1855, and is the deceased wife of W. 
S. Twogood, so that our subject is now the 
only surviving member of the family, for his 
father died August 14, 1894. and the mother 
passed away on the 15th of August, 1899. 
Alva Carskaddon was born near South 
Bend, in St. Joseph county, Indiana, April - 
II, 1853, and when but a year old was 
brought to Iowa, where he has spent his 
entire life. He attended the public schools 
of Marion, this state, and after his grad- 
uation he worked in a chemical laboratory 
and in a tin shop, being thus employed for 
four years. In 1877 his father was elected 
sheriff and Mr. Carskaddon became his 
deputy, serving in that capacity for four 
years. In 1880 he came to Calhoun coun- ■ 
ty, where he carried on farming in con- 
nection with his father for five years. On 
the expiration of that period he purchased 
a farm of his own and has since devoted 
his energies to its cultivation, placing it un- 
der a high state of cultivation, the fields 
yielding to him a golden tribute in return 
for the care and lalxir he liestows upon them. 

17 



He has added all modern accessories and 
conveniences and now has a well improved 
place. In 1899 he removed to Lake City, 
where he now resides, but he still gives his 
personal supervision to the operation of his 
land. He is also a stockholder in the Lake 
City Electric Light & Power Company. 

On the 7th of July, 1881, Mr. Carskad- 
don was united in marriage to Miss Eliza- 
beth Bilber, of Marion, Iowa, a daughter 
of B. D. Bilber, wlio was born in Pennsyl- 
vania and there married Lavina Wydell, 
also a native of the Keystone state. In 1856 
they emigrated westward, taking up their 
abode in Marion, Iowa, where they are still 
living. Unto Mr. antl Mrs. Carskaddon 
have been born two children, but they lost 
their younger daughter. Marvel Lucile, who 
was born November 7, 1896, and died the 
following day. Sarah Maria, born May 30, 
1882, is still with her parents. In his po- 
litical \'iews Mr. Carskaddon has always 
been a Republican, unwavering in his al- 
legiance to the principles of that party, and 
he is equally loyal and consistent as a mem- 
lier of the Presbyterian church. His life 
has been a busy, useful and upright one, 
marked by integrity and honor. 



JOHN PITSTICK. 

A farm of one hundred and sixty acres 
pleasantly located on section 8, Elm Grove 
township, is the property of J. Pitstick, 
and has been gained through honorable 
business efforts. He owes his success en- 
tirely to his enterprise, industry and careful 
management, and for twent}^ years he has 
been lunnbercil among the representative ag- 
riculturists of this portion of the state. He 



294 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



came from a foreign land, his birth having 
occurred in Kuehn, on the Rliine, in Prus- 
sia, January i8, 1836. His father, WilHam 
Pitstick, was a native of the same locahty, 
and when he had arrived at mature years 
he wedded Margaret WaUersheidt, also a 
native of Prussia. By trade the father was 
a miller and followed that pursuit for many 
years. Hoping to better his financial condi- 
tion in the new world, he crossed the At- 
lantic to America in 1843, ^"d on landing 
on the New York coast proceeded at once 
across the country to Illinois. He took up 
his abode near jNIendota, in LaSalle county, 
where he purchased land and de\'eloped a 
farm. The work of cultivating and improv- 
ing that place occupied his attention through- 
out his remaining days, and most of his sons 
have also followed farming. 

John Pitstick spent the first seven years 
of his life in his native country, and then 
accompanied his parents to America. He 
pursued his education in La Salle county, 
and was there married on the 5th of March, 
1858, to ]\Iiss Frances Billingsfelt, also a na- 
tive of Prussia, but reared in La Salle coun- 
ty. Mr. Pitstick purchased land near Men- 
dota, accjuiring eighty acres upon which he 
made his home for seven years, when, in 
1863, he came to Iowa. His first home was 
in Polk county, ten miles east of Des Moines, 
and his farm comprised one hundred and 
sixty acres, on which as the years passed 
he placed excellent buildings and made many 
substantial improvements. There he suc- 
cessfully carried on agricultural pursuits for 
seventeen years and then purchased the farm 
in Calhoun county upon which he now re- 
sides. Not a furrow had been turned or an 
improvement made upon the ]ilace when he 
took up his abode there, but the years have 
witnessed a great change and the property 
is now a very valuable farm. He has erect- 



ed a large and comfortable residence, built 
substantial barns and outbuildings and has 
now a model home. His lawn is adorned 
\\'ith shade and ornamental trees and he has 
likewise planted an orchard. Since coming 
to the county he has traded his farm in Polk 
county for one hundred and sixty acres of 
land in Twin Lake township, Calhoun coun- 
ty, which is likewise well improved, and in 
addition to this he owns eighty acres in Gar- 
field township, on which is a new dwelling 
and many modern accessories. He has to- 
day three valuable and well improved farms, 
comprising four hundred acres, and his 
property has been acquired entirely through 
his own labor and capable management. 

Air. and Mrs. Pitstick are the parents of 
ten children, of whom seven are li\-ing: 
Charles, who is married and follows farming 
in this county; William, a resident farmer 
of Scott countw Tiiwa: John L., who assists 
in the operation of the home farm ; Ed- 
ward, who is married and follows farming 
in Garfield township ; Frances ; Ella ; and 
Josephine. One daughter, Louisa, was mar- 
ried and at her death in April, 1901, left ten 
children. Lizzie and Emma 1x)th passed 
away in early womanhood. 

A devoted adherent of the Republican 
party, Mr. Pitstick has supported each of its 
presidential candidates since i860, but in 
1856 he cast his first presidential ballot for 
James Buchanan. He has been quite active 
in local political circles, doing all in his 
power to advance the interest of his party, 
yet never becoming a politician in the sense 
of office seeking. He has, however, served 
as commissioner of highways and is a mem- 
ber of the school board. Mr. and Mrs. Pit- 
stick were reared in the Catholic faith and 
attend services at the Auburn church. He 
may truly be called a self-made man. for 
w hen he entered upon his business career he 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



295 



liad no capital and all that he nmv possesses 
he has earned through diligence and gar- 
nered by capable management and economy. 
His life record should serve as a source of 
encouragement and inspiration to others 
\\ii( I ha\e to begin business as he did. Stead- 
ily has he worked his way upward, and 
the county now numbers him among its pros- 
perous representatives. 



L. PETER JORGENSEN. 

Among the representative farmers and 
highly respected citizens of Calhoun town- 
ship is numljered ]\Ir. Jorgensen, who is 
familiarly called Peter by his numerous 
friends throughout the county. Here he has 
made his home since the ist of January, 
1881. He was born in Denmark, on the 
26th of April, 1850, and was reared upon 
a farm. His school privileges being of a 
superior order, he received a giiod education 
in his native tongue, but his knowledge of 
the English language has been self-accjuired 
since coming to the new world. 

It was in 1872 that 'Sir. Jorgensen 
crossed the Atlantic und took up his resi- 
dence in Chicago, where he spent twO' years, 
working as a. mason's assistant during the 
building season. Subsecjuently he spent sev- 
eral years in Lee and Ogle counties, Illinois, 
as a farm hand, and in 1881 came to Cal- 
houn county, Iowa, as i^resdously stated. 
After one year in the employ of others, he 
bought eighty acres of his present farm on 
section 27, Calhoun township, which was 
then but slightly improved, with a .small 
house upon it. To its further development 
and cultivation Mr. Jorgensen at once turned 
his attention, and later added to it another 
tract of eighty acres, so that he now has a 



good farm of one hundred and sixtv acres. 
He has built a more commodious and mod- 
ern residence and good outbuildings : has 
set out fruit and shade trees, and made 
many other improvements w hich add greatly 
to the value and attracti\-e appearance of the 
place. 

Mr. Jorgensen was married in this coun- 
ty. April 5, 1884, the lady of his choice 
being Miss Marie Rasmtissen, also a native 
of Denmark, who was reared in that conn- 
try and was a young lady on coming to 
.\nierica. Prior to her marriage she made 
her home in Lake City. Both Mr. and [Mrs. 
Jorgensen are members of the Baptist church 
of that place and are among the most highly 
esteemed citizens of their community. Po- 
litically he is a stanch supporter of the Re- 
publican party and its principles. As a 
young man of twenty-two years he came to 
America, and with no capital started out in 
a strange land to overcome the difficulties 
and obstacles in the path to prosperity. Suc- 
cess attended his well directed efforts and he 
is now one of the well-to-do citizens of his 

localitx'. 

'■ — ♦ « » 

EHICK G. HOLM. 

It requires no little coiu'age to sex'er all 
the connections which bind one to home and 
native land and go to a far distant country in 
search of fortune, depending there entirely 
upon one's own efforts for a livclihiiml and 
for all that one acquires. Strong hearts are 
needed for such an undertaking and willing 
hands must fight the battles of life. ilr. 
Holm is among the sons of Sweden, who, 
leaving the old world, have taken advantage 
of the opportunities of the new. He was born 
May 21, 1853, in Sweden, and spent part 
of his youth in that country and part in 



29^ 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Norway. His education was obtained in the 
Norwegian tongue and he had -to learn the 
English language after he arrived in Amer- 
.ica. He also learned the blacksmith's trade 
in Norway but there was little opportunity 
for business advancement and he resolved 
to test the truth of the favorable reports con- 
cerning possibilities in the United States. 
Accordingly, in 1880, he completed the long 
journey across the Atlantic and at once made 
his way across the country to Calhoun 
county, settling in Lake City, where he 
worked at his trade of blacksmithing 
for three years.' At the end of that 
time I\Ir. Holm removed to Badger, 
\\'ebster county, -where he followed the 
same pursuit in the employ of others 
for six }ears and then purchased a black- 
smith and repair shop which he conducted 
until 1889, when he returned to Calhoun 
county. Here he turned his attention to 
agricultural pursuits, purchasing one hun- 
dred and sixty acres of land in Elm Grove 
township, upon which he still resides. Here 
he erected a good home, broke and fenced his 
land and has carried forward the work of 
improvement and development until he now 
has a very valuable farm property. Fruit 
trees yield their products in season and 
shade trees add to the attractive appearance 
of the place. He raises good grades of 
stock and has a farm supplied with good 
barns and with all modern accessories and 
conveniences. 

In Fort Dodge. Webster county, Iowa, 
]\Ir. Holm was united in marriage to Miss 
Mary Debourgh, a native of Rockford, Illi- 
nois, and a daughter of Daniel Debourgh, 
a native of Sweden and one of the early set- 
tlers of Illinois. About 1874 he came to 
Calhoun county, bringing with him his fam- 
ily. Unto Mr. and jNIrs. Holm have been 



born four children : Ida, Josie. W'ilmer G. 
and Arthur. 

In his political afhliations 'Sir. Holm is 
a Republican, giving an unfaltering support 
to the principles of the party since casting his 
first presidential vote for Benjamin Harri- 
son and doing all in his power to promote 
the growth and insure the success of his 
party. He is a member of the Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows and has served as 
lodge treasurer. For twenty-one years he 
has been a resident of Iowa and has wit- 
nessed much of the progress of Calhoun 
county as it has emerged from pioneer con- 
ditions and taken its place among the lead- 
ing counties of this great commonwealth. 
He has seen the -prairies broken and towns 
and villages built and has shared in the 
work of promoting public progress and im- 
provement. He came to this country empty- 
handed but with a stout heart, and since he 
located in Calhoun county he has labored so 
energetically and with such determination 
that he has overcome all the difficulties and 
obstacles in his path and advanced steadily 
to the goal of prosperity. 



JOHN \V. JACOBS. 



The subject of this review is actively 
connected with a profession which has im- 
portant bearing upon the progress and stable 
prosperity of any section or community, and 
one which has long been considered as con- 
ser\-ing the public welfare by furthering the 
ends of justice and maintaining individual 
right. He is a member of the well-known 
law firm of Hutchison & Jacobs, his partner 
being IMarion E. Hutchison. 

Sir. Jacobs was born near Lake City, 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



297 



Iowa, August 7, 1872, and after attending 
the public schools of Lake City he entered 
Drake University, where he graduated, re- 
ceiving, the degree of Bachelor of Science. 
While a student in that institution he \\on 
the first honors in an oratorical contest, and 
afterward third honors in the state contest. 
While in Drake he pursued a course in civil 
engineering and was extremely proficient in 
mathematics, having strong natural ability in 
that direction. Becoming imbued, however, 
with a desire to enter the legal profession, 
he took up the study of law in the State 
University at Iowa City, and in 1896 was 
admitted to the bar. He then returned to 
Calhoun county and locating at Lake City, 
opened his office as a member of the firm 
of Hutchison & Jacobs. His orator\', cloth- 
ing the sound logic of truth, carries convic- 
tion to the minds of judge and jury, and 
his merit is widely recognized. His prep- 
aration of cases is most thorough and ex- 
haustive ; he grasps the strong points of law 
and fact, while in his briefs and arguments 
the authorities are cited extensivelv and the 
facts and reasoning theron are presented co- 
gently and unanswerably and leave no doubt 
as to the correctness of his views or of his 
conclusions. Every point is given its true 
prominence and the case is argued with skill, 
ability and power, so that he rarely fails to 
gain the verdict desired. 

Mr. Jacobs has also been prominent irr 
public affairs here. In December, 1897, he 
was elected to fill a vacancy in the office of 
mayor and discharged liis duties so accepta- 
bly that he was re-elected, at the follow- 
ing election, for a full term and contin- 
ued in that position until 1900. He favored 
reform and progress and his administration 
was of practical benefit to the city. He is 
now sen'ing as city solicitor, having been 
the incumljcnt in that position fi)r tlie past 



two years. He endorses Republican princi- 
ples and is well known as a leader in his 
party. 

On the 17th of November, 1898. Mr. 
Jacobs was united in marriage to Miss Ber- 
tha E. Coe, a native of W^oodbine, Iowa. 
Mrs. Jacobs is a graduate of Drake Univer- 
sity and before her marriage was professor 
of languages and literature in the W'ood- 
Ijine Normal College. 

They have become well known in Lake 
City and the hospitality of the best homes 
is extended tO' them. Fraternally Mr. Jacobs 
is connected with the Knigh'ts of Pythias 
lodge and with the Benevolent and Protec- 
tive Order of Elks. In early life he engaged 
in school teaching in order to continue his 
j'/rofessional career, thus giving evidence of 
the elemental strength of his character. He 
is yet a young man but has already attained 
success which manv an older practitinner 
might well envy. 



FRANK S. PUFFER. 

Frank S. Puft'er, who is engaged in gen- 
eral fanning on section 9, Elm Grove town- 
ship, there owns and operates three hundred 
and twenty acres of rich land and has a 
splendidly improved farm. He dates his 
residence in Calhoun county from June, 
1885, and has since been one of its represen- 
tative agriculturists. A native of Illinois, 
his birth occurred in Du Page county on the 
1st of February. 1856. His father, Reuben 
Puffer, was born and reared in \\'orcester 
county, Massachusetts, and on emigrating 
westward, took uj) his abode in Du Page 
county, Illinois, where bis father, Henry 
Puffer, had entered a half section of land 
and opened up the place, which is located 
about seven miles from Whcalcm. The fa- 



298 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ther of our subject succeeded to the owner- 
ship of the claim, which is still in possession 
of the PufYer family. Reuben Puffer was 
united in marriage to Rosella Kenyon. who 
was born in Broome county, New York, and 
is a daughter of Esquire Kenyon. Her pa- 
rents both died in the Empire state during 
her girlhood. Reuben Puffer was a promi- 
nent farmer of Du Page county and after 
coming to the west spent his remaining years 
there, his death occurring in 1896. In his 
family were seven sons and two daughters 
who reached mature years. 

Frank S. Pufifer was reared upon the old 
homestead farm in Illinois and there ob- 
tained his preliminary education while later 
he pursued a collegiate course in Naperville, 
Illinois. Subsequently he engaged in teach- 
ing for several years in his home district 
and in other schools of Du Page county 
and for four years he followed that profes- 
sion in Calhoun county. He made his home 
with his parents imtil after he had attained 
adult age. Coming to Iowa he was married 
in Hardin county, this state, in 1882, to 
Miss Cora Wood, a native of Illinois, born 
in Henry county but reared and educated in 
Du Page county. She, too, became a suc- 
cessful teacher and was connected with edu- 
cational work in Hardin county, Iowa. Her 
father, W. N. Wood, is now a resident of 
Lake City, Calhoun county. A native of the 
Empire state he was born and reared near 
Saratoga and on removing to Illinois took 
up his abode in Henry county where he re- 
sided for a number of years. He afterward 
removed to Du Page county and at the pres- 
ent time is living in honorable retiranent 
from labor in Lake City at the advanced age 
of seventy-seven years. 

Mr. and Mrs. Pufifer began their domes- 
tic life on the farm wliere they still reside. 
He erected a good residence and began to 



break the land, placing the fields under a 
high state of cultivation. He planted both 
fruit and forest trees, built a good barn and 
all necessary buildings for the shelter of 
grain and stock and now has a splendidly 
improved and valuable country home. He is 
one of the most successful and enterprising 
farmers and stock-raisers of the community 
and his worth is widely acknowledged. 'Mr. 
and Mrs. Puffer are the parents of six chil- 
dren : Florence S., Henry, Grace, John, 
Margery and Harold. All are still on the 
farm with their parents and the members 
of the household ha\-e many friends in the 
community. In his political views ^Ir. 
Pufifer has been a life long Republican, sup- 
porting the party since he cast his first pres- 
idential vote for James G. Blaine in 1884. 
He has never sought or desired ofifice yet has 
served as township trustee. The cause of 
education finds him a warm friend. He be- 
lieves in securing good teachers, in introduc- 
ing advanced methods and while serving as 
a member of the school board and as presi- 
dent of his district, he has done effective 
work in behalf of education. Both he and 
his wife are consistent members of the Pres- 
byterian church and he is one of its elders. 
For seventeen years he has resided m Cal- 
houn county and has witnessed many 
changes as the work of progress and im- 
provement has been carried on. He is well 
known in Lake City and the western part of 
the county and is a man of integrity and 
honor who enjoys in high degree the esteem 
of his fellow citizens. 



J. B. SMITH. 

\o matter how much we may indulge in 
theorizing concerning success, we must ac- 
knowledge that in the majority of cases it is 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



299 



due to diligence, enterprise and keen fore- 
sight, and it is tliese qualities whicli iiave 
made Mr. Smith a leading business man of 
Lake City. He is there engaged in dealing in 
real estate and also is a well known insurance 
agent, and in both departments he has a 
large clientage. He is numbered among 
Iowa's native sons, for his birth occurred 
in Clermont, Fayette county, on the i8th of 
September, 1864. His parents were R. John 
and Maria J. (Brugger) Smith, both of 
whom were natives of Germany. Crossing 
the Atlantic to .-Vmerica the father settled in 
the early '50s in Wisconsin, where he mar- 
ried. In the year 1859 he took up his abode 
in Fayette county, Iowa, where he secured a 
tract of new prairie land, upon which no fur- 
row had been turned or an improvement 
made, but with characteristic energy he be- 
gan its development and in course of time 
transformed that place into a valuable farm, 
upon which he spent his remaining days. 
The family were, however, making prepara- 
tions to remove to Calhoun county, when he 
was taken ill and died on the ist of May, 
1869. A few weeks later his wife and chil- 
dren came to Lake City, the father having 
previously purchased section 16. Elm Grove 
township. This farm became the home of the 
family. There was not at that time a house 
in Elm Grove township, but Mrs. Smith had 
one erected and with the aid of her children 
began to improve her property. Her nearest 
neighbor was about three and one-half miles 
distant. She had eight children and when 
she arrived in Calhoun county, the eldest was 
only fourteen years of age. With self-sac- 
rificing spirit she de\'oted her time and en- 
ergy to the care of her little ones and to the 
establishment of a good home for them. She 
is now living in Lake City and she has the 
loving gratitude of her sons and daughters, 
who recognize how much they owe to her 



for what she did for them in their early 
childhood. In order of birth her children are 
as follows : Fred W., a farmer of Elm Grove 
township; John, who is living in Deadwood, 
South Dakota; Joseph, whose home is in 
Calhoun county; Mary, the wife of James 
W^ Keary, of Elm. Grove township; J. B., 
of this review; Richard, who is living in 
Lake City; Edwartl, a resident of Rockwell 
City ; and Jerry, of Jackson township, who 
completes the family. 

J. B. Smith was only five years old when 
the mother brought her family to Calhoun 
county, locating in Elm Grove township. 
He was reared here, early becoming familiar 
with the duties and labors that fall to the 
lot of the agriculturist. He pursued his ed- 
ucation in the common schools of the neigh- 
borhood, enjoying such privileges as the 
times afforded. During the summer months 
he was employed at herding cattle, but in the 
winter he pursued his studies, until he had 
acquired a fair knowledge of the branches 
of learning taught in the district schools. 
After he had attained to man's estate he pur- 
chased a farm in Elm Grove township and 
successfully continued its cultivation and 
improvement until 1S92, when he came to 
Lake City, where he soon formed a partner- 
ship with Mr. Tolliver. This was main- 
tained, however, Init a short period and he 
began business on his cnvn account as a real 
estate and insurance agent. He handles land 
in Minnesota and South Dakota and makes 
regular trips to the latter state. He also 
handles farm and city property in Calhoun 
county and has negotiated a numlier of real 
estate transactions. 

On the 28th of February, 1892, Mr. 
Smith was united in marriage to Miss Alice 
Gelnett. of Sac City, Iowa, and their home 
has been blessed with two children. Earl 
and Ralph. It is also noted for its gracious 



300 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



hospitality, which is freely extended to their 
large circle of friends. Mr. Smith has been 
honored with local township offices and fra- 
ternally he is connected with the Masonic 
Lodge and with the Odd Fellows of Lake 
City, being a faithful follower of the teach- 
ings of these organizations, which are based 
upon mutual helpfulness and brotherly kind- 
ness. He started out in his business career 
with no capital and all tha;t he possesses is 
the outcome of his own industry and inde- 
fatigable labor. 



CAPTAIN WILLIAM H. FITCH. 

. An enumeration of those men of the 
present generation who have won honor and 
public recognition for themselves and at the 
same time have honored the state to which 
they belong would be incomplete were there 
failure to make prominent reference to the 
one whose name initiates this paragraph. 
He has been prominently connected with ed- 
ucational, commercial and political interests 
in Calhoun county and holds distinctive pre- 
cedence as a valiant and patriotic soldier who 
has ever borne himself with such signal dig- 
nity and honor as to gain him the respect of 
all. He has been and is distinctively a man 
of affairs and one who has wielded a wide 
influence. A strong mentality, an invincible 
courage, a most determined individuality 
have so entered into his make-up as to render 
him a natural leader of men and a director 
of opinion. 

Captain Fitch is a native of Vermont, 
his birth having occurred in Swanton, 
Franklin county, on the 25th of March, 
1840, a son of Mason and Sally (Aseltine) 
Fitch, the former a native of New York 



and the latter of the Green Mountain state, 
while both were representatives of old New 
York families. When the Captain was 
■ about ten years of age the family removed 
to Canton, St. Lawrence county, New York, 
where the parents remained until the close 
of the Civil war, when they removed to 
Woodstock, McHenry county, Illinois, 
where the father died in 1880, at the age of 
fifty-six years. He followed the occupation 
of farming throughout his entire business 
career. After his death the mother took up 
her abode in Lake City, where her last days 
were passed. In their family were live chil- 
dren : William H. is the eldest. James C. 
was killed at the liattle of Ringgold, Georgia, 
November 2"/, 1863, immediately following 
the engagement at Missionary Ridge. He 
was a member of Company A, Sixtieth New 
York Volunteer Infantry, of which our sub- 
ject was captain, while he was orderly ser- 
geant. After being shot he survived for 
only a few hours. George, who was a mem- 
ber of the Ninth New York Heavy Artillery, 
and also served under General Sheridan in 
the war of the Rebellion, died in California. 
Alice is the wife of James Hartman, who 
is living a retired life in Lake City. Sarah 
J. is the wife of Norman Mead, of New 
York city. 

In the public schools of New York Cap- 
tain Fitch obtained his education and in St. 
Lawrence Academy and St. Lawrence Uni- 
versity. He was pursuing a course of civil 
engineering when the war broke out, and in 
July, 1861, at Canton,. New York, he offered 
his services to the government. On the or- 
ganization of Company A, Sixtieth New 
York Infantry, he was appointed corporal, 
soon afterward was made orderly sergeant 
and for meritorious and gallant service was 
commissioned first lieutenant at Chancellors- 




WILLIAM H. FITCH. 




MRS. W. H. FITCH. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



305 



ville, while a shcirt time afterward lie was 
niaile captain. He participated in tlie many 
battles of the Shenandoah valley, including 
Harpers Ferry, Port Royal, Winchester and 
others of lesser importance. He then joined 
the Army of the Potomac and participated in 
the battles of Chancellorsville and Gettys- 
burg. Later his regiment was transferred 
to the Army of the \\'est, commencing op- 
erations at W'auhatchie, which was followed 
by the battles of Lookout Mountain, Mis- 
sionary Ridge, Ringgold, Resaca, Kenesaw 
Mountain. Peach Tree Creek and Atlanta, 
being continuously under fire until he 
reached the last named place. For a time 
the conmiand was stationed at Stevenson, 
Alabama, guarding railroads, and was with 
Sherman from Atlanta to Savannah, thus 
participating in the celebrated march to the 
sea. Captain Fitch's regiment was the first 
to enter Atlanta and their colors were the 
first to float over any of the public buildings. 
The army with which he was connected had 
captured Savannah and had taken part in 
the battle of Goldsboro when Lee surren- 
dered. The command then proceeded to 
Washington, where the Captain participated 
in the grand review, — the most celebrated 
military pageant ever seen on the continent. 
He had re-enlisted as a veteran soon after 
the l)attle of Lookout ^bJuntain and was 
honorably discharged at Alexandria, Vir- 
ginia, in July, 1865. He saw much hard 
service. Three times the colors of his regi- 
ment were shot down at Lookout Mountain. 
General \\'aithairs sword was there captured 
by his regiment, which also captured a Con- 
federate flag. Captain Fitch was wounded 
at Chancellorsville in the right leg bv a 
minie bail and several times had his hat and 
clothing perforated by Rel)el bullets. He 
was also ill with typhoid fever for a time. 



but during the greater part of his military 
service he was in acti\-e duty, and his own 
gallantry and bravery inspired his men to 
deeds of \-alor. He served as inspector on 
the staffs of General Greene, Garey, Mendall 
and Bartlett for six months, and at the close 
of the war he held a commission as lieu- 
tenant colonel. He was in exery engagement 
'from Lookout Mbuntain until Sherman's 
army reached the sea, including forty battles 
and skirmishes. 

.\t the close of the war Captain Fitch 
returned to his old home in New York, but 
after a short time came to the west in the 
fall of 1865, making his way to Chicago, 
thence tO' Omaha by way of the Missouri 
river and on to Fremont, Nebraska, where 
the Union Pacific Railroad was being con- 
structed, expecting to enter the ci\-il en- 
gineering departiuent. He next proceeded 
to Fort Dodge by way of Lake City by 
stage, and that w-inter was employed to teach 
the school at Lake City. He taught through 
the winter and is now one of the oldest 
school teachers still living in this part of the 
state. Subsequently he purchased a farm 
southwest of the. town and carried on agri- 
cultural pursuits there until 1S87, when he 
removed to Lake City, where he was en- 
gaged in merchandising as proprietor of a 
store, in partnersliip with J. J. Hutchinson 
for four years. 

Mr. Fitch has been honored with a num- 
ber of public offices. In 1866 he was elected 
clerk of the district court and filled that po- 
sition until 1873, when he Was elected to 
represent his district in the state senate, in 
which he served for four years or until 
1876, leaving the impress of his individuality 
upon the legislation enacted during- that pe- 
riod. He was a lucmber at the time the 
capitol was built and served as a member of 



3o6 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



the building committee. For si.x years he 
also held the office of supervisor, and in his 
political views he has always Iseen a Repub- 
lican, strongly endorsing the principles of 
the party and doing all in his power to pro- 
mote its growth and insure its success. 

The Captain was married, in 1866, to 
Miss Sarah E. Lindsey, of Lake City, and 
a native of Michigan. They have two chil- 
dren: Lora A., the wife of E. A. Losey, 
of Lake City, and John, who lives on the 
farm in Jackson township. The Captain is 
a member of the Grand Army Post, while 
his wife is a member of the Relief Corps, 
and both take an active part in the work of 
the organization. They have a large circle 
of friends throughout Calhoun county, and 
the Captain is as true to his duties of citi- 
zenship to-day as when he followed the 
starry banner of the nation upon southern 
battle-fields. His public and private record 
is above reproach, and whether in business 
or in official circles he has ever been found 
worthy the trust reposed in him. 



JOHN F. WAREHIME. 

Calhoun township probably has no more 
enterprising citizen than the gentleman 
whose name introduces this sketch, his home 
being on section 23, where he owns and op- 
erates a good farm of one hundred and sixty 
acres. He has been a resident of this coun- 
ty since February, 1888, and during thalt 
time has been prominently identified with 
her agricultural interests. 

Mr. Warehime is a native of Illinois, 
born in Whiteside county, north of Sterling, 
April 7, 1856, and is a son of Daniel and 
Lydia A. (Loats) Warehime, both of whom 
were natives of Maryland. The father was 



an early settler of Whiteside county. Illinois, 
and there opened up the farm on w'hich he 
died in 1863, at a comparatively early age. 
Our subject was given the advantages of 
a good common school education and re- 
mained with his brother until grown, as- 
sisting in the operation of the home farm. 
After reaching manhood he engaged in 
farming and to some extent worked at the 
mason's trade with his stepfather. 

On Thanksgiving day of 1882 Mr. 
Warehime was married in his native county 
to Miss Mary Ella Yeakel, who was born in 
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, of German an- 
cestry, her great-grandfather, Christopher 
Yeakel, having been a native of Germany. 
On his emigration to the new world he lo- 
cated in Pennsylvania and establislied a set- 
tlement at Germantown. His family crossed 
the Atlantic on the St. Andrews and landed 
in Philadelphia, on the 22d of September, 
1734. They were of the ^lennonite faith. 
Samuel K. Yeakel. ^Irs. Warehime"s father, 
■\vas born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, 
and from there removed to Whiteside coun- 
ty, Illinois. He ser\'ed three years as a sol- 
dier in the war of the Rebellion and is ncnv 
an inmate of the Soldiers' Home at Mar- 
shalltown, Iowa. He also receives a pen- 
sion from the government in recognition of 
his services. Mrs. Warehime was reared 
and educated in Philadelphia and in early 
life learned tailoring and dressmaking, 
which she followed quite successfully prior 
to her marrige. She has become the mother 
of two children. George and Maggie. Both 
are at home and the son now assists his fath- 
er in carrying on the farm. 

For about seven years after his marriage 
Mr. ^^■arehime continued to engage in farm- 
ing in Illinois, and then came west, his des- 
tination being Calhoun county, Iowa, He 
inuxhased the farm nn which he now resides 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



307 



and to its further improvement and devel- 
opment he has since devoted his time and 
attention with most gratifying results. The 
buildings upon the place are of a neat and 
substantial character, the fields are well tilled 
and everything" about the farm testifies to 
the thrift and industry of the owner, who 
is regarded as one of the best farmers of his 
locality. In connection with general farm- 
ing he carries on stock raising", making a 
specialty of Poland China hogs. His suc- 
cess in life is due entirely to his own well 
directed efforts and the assistance of his es- 
timable wife, who has, indeed, proved a 
true helpmate to him. They are among the 
most highly respected and honored citizens 
of their community and wherever known 
are held in high regard. In his political 
affiliations Mr. Warehime has been a life- 
long Republican, and cast his first presiden- 
tial vote for fames .\. Garfield. 



THOMAS C. MAULSBY. 

Among the most successful farmers and 
highly respected citizens of Garfield town- 
ship is numbered Thomas C. Maulsby, who 
for the past twelve years has been actively 
identified with the agricultural interests of 
this county. A native of Indiana, he was 
born in Porter county, on the nth of 
March, 1854, and is a son of Benjamin and 
Rhoda (Williams) ]\Iaulsby, who were pi- 
oneers of that county. The father was a 
native of Ohio, while the mother was Iwrn 
in Wayne county, Indiana. Going to Por- 
ter county, Indiana, at an early day Benja- 
min Maulsby cleared and improved a farm 
in the midst of the forest and there made 
his home for a quarter of a century. At 
the end of that time he removed to Marshall 
county, Iowa, where he bi:)ught land and con- 



tinued to reside throughout the remainder 
of his life, dying there at about the age of 
sixty-five years. By birthright he was a 
Quaker and always adhered to that faith. In 
politics he was an ardent Republican, and 
his life was ever such as to commend him 
to the confidence and high regard of all who 
knew him. His estimable wife was nearly 
seventy years of age at the time of her death. 
Unto them were born twelve children, but 
Edwin and Irwin died in infancy. Erastus, 
Melvina and Luna are now deceased, the last 
named having died in ;the Andersonville 
prison during the Civil war. The others are 
Lewis, Thomas C, Wendell, Elizabeth, Ma- 
rissa, Viola and one that died unnamed. 

The subject of this sketch was but eleven 
years of age on the removal of the family 
to Iowa. He received a good district school 
education and early acquired an excellent 
knowledge of every department of farm 
work. The first land which he owned was 
a tract of eighty acres in Marshall county, 
Iowa, which he successfully operated for 
four years, and then rented it for six years. 
At the end of that period he sold the place, 
and in 1889 bought one hundred and sixty 
acres of his present farm in Garfield town- 
ship. Calhoun county, on which he located 
the following year. He has since added to 
this a tract O'f forty acres, and has made 
many useful and valuable improvements 
upon the place, so that he now has a very 
valuable farm of two hundred acres under 
a high state of cultivation and supplied with 
all tlie conveniences and accessories found 
upon a model farm of the present day. He 
raises about seventy acres of corn and a 
like amount of small grain, the remainder 
of his farm being meadow and pasture land. 
He keeps from ten to fifteen head of cattle 
and a number of hogs, but gives his atten- 
tion principally to tlie raising of cereals. 



3o8 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Mr. Alaulsby was married March i6, 
1875, to Miss Christie Ann Beeson. who was 
born in Marshall county, Iowa, September 
27, 1858. and is a daughter of Joseph and 
Nancy E. (Ferguson) Beeson, both natives 
of Ohio. The latter died April 24, 1902, 
aged sixty-eight years. On coming to Iowa 
in 1853 they located in Marshall county, 
where the father followed farming for many 
years and later en-gaged in mercantile busi- 
ness, but is now living a retired life in Al- 
bion, that county. He is a Quaker in re- 
ligious faith and is a supporter of the Re- 
publican party. In his family were seven 
children who reached man and womanhood, 
namely : Warren A. ; Franklin ; Elmer, de- 
ceased ; Christie Ann : Isaphine ; Ida, de- 
ceased; and Blanch. Mr. and Mrs. Mauls- 
by also have a family of eight children : 
Jennie M.. Clara M., Cora B., Maud E., 
Hazel F., Elma E., T. Irvin and Evelyn L. 

Mr. Maulsby is treasurer and trustee 
of the Methodist Episcopal church at La- 
vinia, and is a member of the Legion of 
Honor. His political support is always 
given the Republican party and its princi- 
ples and he is now most efficiently serving as 
president of the school board, which office 
he has held for two years. Through the 
combined efforts of himself and wife he has 
steadily prospered since coming to this coun- 
ty, and is to-day the owner of a nice home 
and good farm, which stand as monuments 
to his thrift and industn'. 



JOHX J. HOULIHAN. 

Since the spring of 1881 this gentleman 
has been a resident of Calhoun county, Iowa, 
and now makes his home on section 33, Cal- 



houn township, where he is successfully en- 
gaged in general farming and the breeding 
of pure-blooded short horn cattle. He was 
lx)rn in LaSalle county, Illinois, on the i6th 
of June, 1850, a son of John and Margaret 
(Ferreter) Houlihan. He is the second 
in order of birth in a family of five children, 
the others being Michael, now a farmer of 
Boone county, Iowa; Patrick, who is en- 
gaged in farming near Lohrville, Calhoun 
county; Timothy, a resident of Denison, 
Texas; and Mary, wife of Michael Begley. 
of LaSalle county, Illinois. 

The subject of this sketch lost his father 
when a lad of thirteen years, and since then 
has been dependent upon his own resources 
for a livelihood. He was reared upon a 
farm and given good common school ad\-an- 
tages, which were supplemented by a few 
terms' attendance at the LaSalle high school. 
For se\'eral years he and his three brothers 
rented a fann in his native county and op- 
erated it together. W^ith a kind and loving- 
mother who was always happy with her chil- 
dren around her and a good sister they spent 
some happy days, still seeking a livelihood. 
The mother died at the home of Mrs. Beg- 
ley;, her daughter, March 30, 1896, at the 
age of eighty years. 

As previously stated Mr. Houlihan came 
to Calhoun county, Iowa, in the spring of 
1881, and bought a partially improved farm 
of eighty acres near Lake City, and at once 
turned his attention to its further devel- 
opment and cultivation, making his home 
thereon for seventeen years. In the mean- 
time he bought more land adjoining until he 
owned two hundred and eighty acres, but in 
1888 sold that place and bought land in Car- 
roll county, Iowa. He then rented a stock 
farm in Calhoun township, this county, 
where he resided for three years. Selling 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



309 



his Carroll county property in 1890, he pur- 
chased his present farm of two hundred acres 
in Calhoun township, this county, on which 
he located in the spring of 1901. His place 
is conveniently located within four miles 
of Lake City, and is one of the most de- 
•sirable farms of its size in Calhoun county. 
In connection with the oijeration of his 
land Mr. Houlihan is extensively engaged 
in breeding and dealing in short horn cat- 
tle. He began the business about 1887 with 
one pure-blooded cow, increasing his stock 
from year to year. He has raised and sold 
several valuable animals, and now has a 
fine herd of about fifty head of pure blooded 
registered stock with Bonnie Lancaster at 
the head. He is a fine animal, three years 
old -and weighing" about twenty hundred 
pounds. Mr. Houlihan also has two younger 
animals cjld enough for breeding purposes, 
and about twenty-five breeding cows, as well 
as some fine heifers. As a breeder and 
dealer in pure blooded stock he has become 
widely known throughout Iowa and sur- 
rounding states. He has held sales, holding 
the third in April, 1902. 

Both Mr. and Mrs. Houlihan were reared 
in the Catholic faith and now hold member- 
ship in the church at Lake City. Politically 
he was formerly a Democrat, but supported 
Williami' McKinley for the presidency in 
1896. He is now efficiently serving as town- 
ship trustee, but has never sought political 
preferment, his time and attention being giv- 
en wholly to his business interests. Begin- 
ning life as he did without capital Mr. Houl- 
ihan deserves great credit for the success 
that he has achieved. He has made the 
most of his opportunities, and by straight- 
forward, honorable dealing, he has not only 
gained the confidence of all with whom he 
has been brought in contact, but has secured 
a handsome com.petence. His career illus- 



trates what can be accomplished through 
industry, perse\'erance, gixjd management 
and a determinatiim to succeed. 



\VILLIA:\I WEBB. 



William ^^'ebb, of Garfield township, is 
one of the most substantial and prosperous 
farmers of Calhoun county and his life is 
an exemplification of the term "dignity of 
labor." The possibilities that America of- 
fers to her citizens he has utilized, and 
though he came to this country in limited 
circumstances he has steadily and persever- 
ingly worked his way upward, leaving the 
ranks of the manv to stand among the suc- 
cessful few. 

Air. Webb was born on tlie 19th of July, 
1844, in Haddenham, Buckinghamshire, 
England, of which country his parents, Rich- 
ard and Sarah (Hawkins) Webb, were life- 
long residents. The father, who was an en- 
gineer by trade, died at the age of seventy- 
five years, and the mother passed away at 
the age of fifty-three. They had a family 
of five children: Thomas and Jane E., both 
now deceased ; William ; James and Sophia. 

In the land of his birth Mr. Webb grew 
to manhood, and acquired his education in 
its public schools. At the age of sixteen 
years he commenced learning the engineer's 
trade, wdiich he followed during his residence 
in Englantl and for two years after coming 
to America. It was in 1871 that he crossed 
the broad Atlantic and took up his residence 
in Monroe, Jasper county, low'a, living in 
that locality for about ten years. He bought 
forty acres of land in Marion county, "tliis 
state, which was the first property he ever 
owned, but was unsuccessful there, it be- 
ing his home during the panic of 1873-4. 



310 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



On leaving there he returned to Jasper 
county and from tliere came to Calhoun 
county and bought a farm of three hundred 
and ninety-six acres in Garfield township, 
which is now his home place. It was all wild 
land when it came into his possession but 
as the years have passed he has placed it 
under cultivation and to-day has one of 
the best improved farms in the county, it be- 
ing supplied with all the conveniaices and 
accessories found upon a model farm of the 
present century. The original house was 
one mile north of where he now lives. In 
1896 he erected a fine residence and a new 
set of farm' buildings, which are a credit to 
the locality as well as to the owner. Mr. 
Webb is now the largest land owner and was 
one of the most e.\tensi\-e farmers of Gar- 
field township, having five hundred and sev- 
enty acres under cultivation. He raised over 
two hundred acres of corn and the same 
amoiuit of small grain annually, and fed 
from two to three carloads of cattle for 
market each year. He also bought and sold 
cattle and usually kept about one hundred 
and fifity head upon his place, his specialty 
being full blooded Galloways. 

Before leaving England, Mr. Webb was 
married November 14, 1863. to Miss Sophia 
Rose, who was born in Haddenham, Buck- 
inghamshire, and is a daughter of William 
and Rebecca Rose. Sixteen children blessed 
this union, namely : Thomas W. ; George ; 
Jane E., -deceased; James; Jane E., Fannie 
A. and Lillie_, all three deceased ; Clayton C. 
Elgy H. ; Sadie and Ernest, both deceased 
Frank E. ; Dora E. ; Clara M. ; Clarence O. 
and Fred. 

Mr. Webb is an active and consistent 
member of the Methodist Episcopal church 
and has held various offices in the same. By 
his ballot he supports the men and measures 
of the Republican party and he was called 



upon to serve his fellow citizens as one of 
the first trustees of Garfield township and 
its second assessor, and also as a member 
of the school board at various times. He 
assisted in organizing the township, being 
one of the first five settlers to locate there. 
The others were Peter Wingerson, L. Marsh- 
burger, \\\ B. Harris and John McGuire. 
Mr. Webb has been prominently identified 
with the entire growth and development of 
his township and is recognized as one of its 
most valued and useful citizens. By untir- 
ing industry and sound business judgment 
he has won a merited success in all of his 
undertakings and has now laid aside active 
labor and removed to Sac City, where he 
can live a retired life in the enjoyment of 
the fruits of former toil. 



G. L. PRAY, M. D. 



Successfully engaged in the practice of 
medicine in Lake City, Dr. Pray has gained 
a leading jwsition among the members of 
the medical fraternity, although he is one 
of the younger representatives of the calling 
in Calhoun county. He was born in Web- 
ster City, Hamilton county, Iowa, Decem- 
ber 8, 1870, and is the son of Gilbert and 
Mary (Beauchaine) Pray, the fonner a na- 
tive of New York, and the latter of Canada, 
while both were of French extraction. In 
the year 1859 the father came to Iowa and 
the mother's people "arrived two years later. 
The former accompanied William Pray, the 
doctor's grandfather, who came with his 
family and for many years remained an hon- 
ored resident of the state, spending the latter 
part of his life in Hamilton comity, passing 
away, however, about fifteen years ago. 
When the familv went to Webster Citv, the 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



3" 



country round about was wild and unbroken, 
and the Doctor's grand fatlier killed a buffalo 
upon his present farm there. In January, 
1 90 1, Gilbert Pray removed to DesAIoines, 
where he is now treasurer of the Royal 
E^nion Insurance Company. For many years 
he was a successful lawyer of Webster City 
and is a gentleman of splendid business abil- 
it\' and strong character. In bis family were 
four children: Carl B., a resident of Des- 
Moines; Harry, who is living in Arkansas; 
Caro, of Des]\Ioines; and G. E. 

In the common schools Doctor Pray pur- 
sued his preliminary education and entered 
the Iowa State College, at Ames, where he 
was graduated with the class of 1893. De- 
termining to make the practice of medicine 
his life work he maltriculated in the State 
Medical College at Iowa City, where he was 
graduated in 1897. He then established an 
office in \Vebster City, where he remained 
until April 23, 1898, when he became as- 
sistant surgeon of the Fiftieth Iowa In- 
fantry, and at the time the Spanish-.\meri- 
can war was inaugurated he went with his 
regiment to one of the camps of the country, 
holding the rank of first lieutenant. The reg- 
iment was stationed at Jacksonville. Florida, 
and on the 30th of November, 1898, was 
mustered out. In December of the same 
year the Doctor was appointed surgeon of 
the E'nited States regular army and was de- 
tailed for service in the Twelfth E^nited 
States Infantry in the general hospital at 
San Francisco, California, where he con- 
tinued until February, 1899. On the expi- 
ration of that period he was sent to the Phil- 
ippine Islands with his regiment and was 
there engaged in field service, lieing on the 
firing line at Culunipit, San Fernando, An- 
geles, Barnabas, Dagalpa Bridge and Tar- 
lac, also in numerous skirmishes and bush- 
whacking warfare. Doctor Prav remained 



in the Philippines until Xovember 28, 1899. 
He was the surgeon in charge of the army 
hospital on the ship Rio^ Janeiro. Proceeding 
to San Francisco he arrived there on the 22d 
of December, and on the following day re- 
signed his commission. 

Dr. Pray then came to Eake City and en- 
tered upon the general practice of medicine. 
He has won success here and has gained an 
enviable reputation which places him in the 
ranks of the leading physicians of the com- 
munity. Fie keeps in touch with the most 
ad\anced thought in his profession and is 
a meniljer of the Central District, the North- 
western Medical and the Iowa State Medi- 
cal societies. Socially he is connected with 
Acacia Eodge, No. 176, F. & A. M., of 
\\'ebster City, and in his political afiilia- 
tions is a Republican. His experience in the 
Philippines has added to his interesting 
fund of information concerning the various 
countries in which he has traveled. Doctor 
Pray is a young man of strong character, ot 
laudable ambition and of earnest purpose, 
and has attained a position as representative 
of the medical profession that has insured to 
him a very liberal patronage and gained for 
him the respect of his fellow practitioners. ' 



T. A. KFLEY. 



With the farming interests of Jackson 
townshii) T. A. Kcll_\' has been acti\-ely iden- 
tified since the spring of 1884, and to-day 
owns and operates a fine farm on sections 
25 and 36, consisting of two hundred and 
forty acres of valuable bottom land on the 
south bank of Coon river. He is a progres- 
sive agriculturist and has met with marked 
success in his chosen vocation. 

Mr. Kelly is a native of the Empire state, 



312 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ha\ing' been hum in Westchester cuunty, 
Xew \'i)ik. March i, 1849. ^^^ parents, 
William C. and Hannah J. (Parker) Kelly, 
were also natives of Xew York and the 
father was a contractor in Westchester conn- 
ty at the time i>f his death, which occnrrcd in 
1 85 1. Eight years later tht mother mar- 
ried a ]\Ir. Elliott and removed to DeKalb 
county, Illinois, where our subject grew to 
manhi 1(1(1 up^n his stepfather's farm, his ed- 
ucation being acquired in the common 
schools of the neighborhood. After reach- 
ing man's estate he bought a farm of eighty 
acres, which he greatly inii)n>\ed ;uid sub- 
sequently sold. His next farm also con- 
sisted of eighty acres in DeKalb county, Illi- 
nois, and upon that place he made his home 
for twelve years. Selling his property he 
came to Iowa in 1884 and purchased his 
present farm in Calhoun county, which at 
that lime was partially iniprox'ed. The f(jl- 
lowing spring be took up his residence there- 
on, and to its further improvement and cul- 
tivation he has since devoted his energies. 
He has i)nt u[) over four miles of fence and 
has a good well and erected a windmill, 
which not only pumps the water but is used 
in operating a feed-grinder. The place is 
now supplied with most of the conveniences 
and accessories found upon a model farm 
of the present century. 

In June, 1874, Mr. Kelly was married 
in DeKalb county, Illinois, to Miss Emma 
Wilson, a daughter of Leonard Wilson. She 
was also born in Westchester county, New 
York, antl was reared there and in Xew 
York city. Mr. and Mrs. Kelly have three 
children, namely: Hattie J., who attended 
tirst the common schools and later the Lake 
City high school and one term at Cornell 
University at Mount Vernon, Iowa, and has 
since successfully engaged in teaching school 
in this countv for ten terms ; Edward, who 



assists his father in operating the home 
farm ; and .\llie, who is now a student in 
the Lake City schools. 

Mr. Kelly has been a life-long Republi- 
can, having supported every presidential 
candidate of that party since casting his first 
vote for General U. S. Grant in 1872. Fra- 
ternally he is a member of the Odd Fellows 
Lodge, of Lake City, and his wife and 
daughters are members of the ^Methodist 
iCpiscopal church of that i)lace. They family 
is one of prominence in the community where 
they reside and their circle of friends and 
acijuaintances is extensive. 



S. C. GRAHAM. 



S. C. Graham is master mechanic for the 
Chicago & X'^orthwestern Railway Company 
at Lake City. He has advanced steadily in 
railroad circles and his superior mechanical 
ability and knowledge of the great princi- 
ples which underlie mechanical construction 
ha\e won for him a creditable position in 
the service of the great corporati(jn which 
he represents. He was born at Crestline, 
Ohio, December 19, 1862, and is a son of 
Samuel and Isabella (Morrisoij) Graham, 
the former a native of Scotland and the lat- 
ter of Pennsylvania. Both parents are now 
deceased. The mother jiassed away when 
our subject was only seven weeks old, being 
burned to death, together with two of her 
children, l)y the explosion of a lamp. The 
husband and father survived until 1888, 
when he passeil away at the age of sixty- 
seven. 

S. C. Graham is now the only living 
member of the family. He was reared and 
educated in Ohio, attending the schools of 
Crestline in which he was graduated on the 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



313 



completion of the regular course. For a 
time he was also a student in Allegheny City, 
Pennsylvania, and on putting aside his text- 
books to take up the practical duties of busi- 
ness life, he learned the machinists's trade, 
securing a position in the Pennsylvania Rail- 
road shops in Crestline under (jeorge W. 
Lowe. He spent three years there and then 
entered the employ of the Toledo & Ohio 
Central Railroad, at Bucyrus, Oliio. He was 
next connected wnth the Dayton & Michigan 
Railway at Lima, Ohio, and on the 6th of 
June, 1882, he entered the employ of the 
Chicago & Northwestern Ivailroad Company 
in their shops at Clinton, Iowa, in the ca- 
pacity of a machinist and gang foreman. 
He was thus employed until 1887 when he 
was transferred to Eagle Grove as foreman 
of the night roundhouse. On the loth df 
July, 1888, he was made general foreman 
of the sh(»ps at that place and on the ist of 
May, 1898, he was promoted to the position 
of division foreman of the Western Iowa 
division at Lake City, thus serving until 
July I, 1900, when prcjmutiun again came to 
him and he was made master mechanic at 
Mason City. Subsequently he was trans- 
ferred to Lake City as master mechanic of 
the Siou.x City division, and since November 
15, 1901, has been stationed there. Tluis 
it will be seen his advancement has been con- 
tinuous, and it is a well known fact that 
large corporations like railroad companies 
do not bestow promotions except in recog- 
nition of ability, faithfulness and worth. 

Mr. Graham has been twice married. In 
September, 1888, he wedded Helen Baldwin, 
of Clinton, Iowa, and to them were born four 
children : 1 )(jnald, born July 6, 1899 ; Helen, 
born October 26, 1891; Robert, Ixjrn June 
19, 1895; and Ru.s.sell, born April 17, 1897, 
all being natives of Eagle Grove. The 
mother died at Chicago, March 6, 1898, and 

18 



on the 28th of November, 1901, Mr. Graham 
was again married, the second union l.>eing 
with Lulu Godden, of Mason City. He is 
a memljer of the Benevolent and Protective 
Order of Elks, at that place, and also of the 
Masonic fraternity. In his political senti- 
ments he is a stanch Republican and for two 
terms he served as aldennan of the fourth 
ward in I'lagle (jrcjve. He was also a member 
of the comity central committee during his 
residence there, and has never faltered in his 
allegiance to the principles of the great po- 
litical organization which has ever stood 
as the defender of ;\mcrican institutions. He 
enjoys in a high degree the confidence of 
those whom he represents in business and 
of those who serve under him, and in all 
life's relations, he has been true to every 
manly ])rinciple. 



IRA R. ARNEY. 



Classed among the leading business men 
of Lake City, Ira R. Arney is there engaged 
in dealing in real estate as a member of the 
firm of Arney, Easton & Arney. They also* 
represent a number of important insurance 
comijanies and in both lines are meeting with: 
creditable and well merited success. Mr.. 
Arney was born in Owen cotuity, Indiana,, 
on (the 24th of May, 1839, and is a son oi 
Henry and Mary ( Brush) Arney, the former 
a native of North Carolina and the latter 
of Kentucky. The Arney f;inhl\- came from 
the south and settled in Owen county, In- 
diana. They were of German lineage orig- 
inally, but at a very early date the family 
was established in the southern portion of 
this country. In the year 1857 Henry Ar- 
ney, with his wife and son, Ira, came to 
Iowa, taking up his alxjde in Marshall coun- 



314 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ty, where he spent the remainder of his days, 
passing way in Albion in 1862, at the age 
of eighty-two years. During the greater 
part of his Hfe he had followed farming and 
was at all times an honorable, trustworthy 
man. His wife sun'ived him a number of 
years, passing away in 1870, at the age of 
seventy-eight. They were the parents of 
three children. One son, J. H. Aniey, served 
as a member of Company B, Second Iowa 
Cavalry, during the Civil war and his health 
became so impaired that he died about eight- 
een months after leaving the army. Another 
brother, A. W. Arne>% was a member of the 
same company, valiantly defending the 
Union throughout the struggle, and after- 
■ward made his home in Marshalltown, Iowa, 
until 1872. 

In a select school of Albion, Iowa, Ira 
Ti. Amey began his education, which was 
continued ini Albion Seminary. Subsequent- 
ly he followed farming in Marshall county, 
where he remained for twentj-^eight years. 



when ini i^ 



he came to Calhoun countv 



and was connected with agricultural pursuits 
in the vicinity of Sherwood, in Lake Creek 
township, for four years. In 1889 he re- 
moved to Lake City, where he has since been 
engaged in the real estate and insurance 
business. The policies which they write an- 
nually represent many thousand dollars and 
they also conduct important real estate trans- 
fers. 

On the 15th of April, i860, Mr. Arney 
was united in marriage to Miss Sarah A. 
Beeson, of Marshall county, a daughter of 
Samuel and Martha (Smith) Beeson, who 
■came to Iowa froni Columbiana coimty, 
Ohio, taking up their abode in Marshall 
county in the year 1854 among its early set- 
tlers. Mr. and Mrs. Arney have three living 
children: W. H., who resides on a farm in 



Marshall county; C. E., who is warden of 
the state penitentiary- at Boise, Idaho; and 
H. L., who resides near Boise, Idaho, 
following agricultural pursuits. He served 
in Compan\' A of the Fifty-first Regiment 
of Iowa Volunteers, being in the Philippines 
for more than a year. 

Mr. Amey has served as city assessor 
and as a member of the school board. He 
belongs. \to the Christian church, serving as 
a member of its building committee when 
the house of worship was being erected, and 
is now one of its elders. Coming to the west 
as he did, a young man without capital, Mr. 
Arney deserves great credit for his success 
in life. He has made the most of his op- 
portunities, by carefully watching the mark- 
ets and by straightforward, honorable deal- 
ing has secured the public confidence and 
the public patronage. He has accumulated 
a handsome property and his life illustrates 
what can be accomplished through industry, 
perseverance, good management and a de- 
termination to succeed. 



JEREMIAH M. CAMPBELL. 

Jeremiah M. Campbell, residing on sec- 
tion 24, Jackson township, owns and oper- 
ates a valuable and well improved farm of 
one hundred acres, pleasantly located within 
two miles of Lake City. He is a native of 
Iowa, his birth having occurred near Ber- 
tram, in Linn county, June 9, i860. His 
father, A. C. Campbell, was born in Knox 
county, Indiana, in 1825. and was only 
twelve years old when he came to this state 
in 1837 with liis father, Thomas \\'. Camp- 
bell, one of the pioneer settlers of Linn coun- 
tv and its first treasurer. There A. C. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



315 



Campbell grew to manhood and married 
Rachel Daniels, who was born in Ohio, and 
during childhood removed to Linn county, 
Iowa, her father, Jeremiah Daniels, being 
another of its pioneers. After his marriage 
Mr. Campbell followed farming in that 
■county for several years, and there all of his 
nine children were born. In 1877, however, 
he remo\ed to Greene county, Iowa, and pur- 
chased one hundred and sixty acres of land 
in Cedar township, which he converted into 
a good farm, making his home thereon until 
his death, March 15. 1899. His wife still 
•survives him and now makes her home with 
her youngest daughter in Lake City. 

Jeremiah M. Campbell is the fifth child 
in order of birth in a family of nine children, 
four sons and five daughteres, all of whom 
are still living. During his boyhood and 
youth he received a good practical educa- 
tion in the common schools of Linn coun- 
ty, and also acquired an excellent knowl- 
>edge of every department of fami work. 
At the age of seventeen years he accom- 
panied his parents on their removal to 
Greene county, and on arriving at mature 
years began farming on his own account.. 
He became the owner of a farm of one hun- 
dred and sixty acres adjoining that of his 
father, and broke, fenced and improved the 
place. After operating the farm for two 
years he rented it and removed to Churdan, 
Iowa, where he bcmght a hardwore store and 
devoted the following year to that business. 
On disposing of his store he engaged in 
clerking one year, and at the end of that 
time returned to the farm, which he cul- 
tivated two years. In the spring of 1893 he 
came to Calhoun county and purchased the 
farm of one hundred acres on section 24, 
Jackson township, where he now resides. 
He has repaired the buildings upon the place 



and has erected a good modern residence, 
heated by a furnace and supplied with all 
conveniences. In fact it is one of the best 
homes in the township. Mr. Campbell gives 
considerable attention to the raising and 
feeding of stock, and in all his undertakings 
is meeting with well deserved success, as 
he is energetic, enterprising and industrious. 

At Blairstown, Iowa, he was married, 
March 25, 1886, to Miss Elizabeth Shell- 
myer, who was Ixjrn in Johnson county, this 
state, but was principally reared and educated 
in Benton county. Her father, Ellis Shell- 
myer, served through the war of the Re- 
bellion and is now deceased. Unto Mr. and 
Mrs. Campbell were born three children, 
namely: Charlie, who died in infancy; 
Ernest and Laura. 

Politically Mr. Campbell has been a 
stanch supporter of the Republican party 
since attaining his majority, advocating ex- 
pansion, sound money and a protective 
tariff. He is now serving his third year as 
township school treasurer, but has never 
sought official honors, preferring to give his 
entire time and attention to his business in- 
terests. Both he and his wife are members 
of the Christian church at Lake City, and 
he is also connected with the Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows, having Ijeen initiated 
into that society at Churdan, in 1890. 



ROBERT A. STEWART. 

In taking up the personal history of Rob- 
ert A. Stewart we present to our readers 
tlie life record of one who is and has for a 
number of years been a prominent factor in 
business circles in this state as a representa- 
tive of indiistrial and manufacturing inter- 



3i6 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ests. He is to-day connected with the him- 
ber trade in Pomeroy and his keen sagacity 
and unfaltering dihgence have won for him 
a place among the substantial citizens of 
Calhoun county. 

Mr. Stewart is a native of Huntingdon 
county, Pennsylvania, his birth having there 
occurred on the 27th of Deceml>er. 1857. 
His father, :McDonald Stewart, was also a 
native of the Keystone state, born on the 
26th of May, 1833. and after arriving at 
years of maturity he married Amelia Cath- 
erine Anspach, who was born in 1836. Her 
parents were natives of Pennsylvania and 
her grandfather was one of the valiant sol- 
diers of the Revolutionary war who es- 
poused the cause of the colonists and fought 
for American liberty. He was scalped in the 
Wyoming valley in the massacre which oc- 
curred "in that district when men, women and 
children were ruthlessly slaughtered by the 
red men. At the time of the Civil war Dr. 
David Stewart, an uncle of our subject, be- 
came the captain of a company belonging to 
the Twenty-eighth Iowa Infantry, and was 
promoted to the position of regimental sur- 
geon with the rank of major. His son, 
Jonathan, also entered the army and the 
mother of our subject had several brothers 
w'ho served in the Union Army throughout 
the struggle between the north and the 
south. The parents of our subject were mar- 
ried in Pennsylvania and unto them were 
born four children: Howard J., of Cof- 
feyville. Kansas; Robert A., of this review; 
Katie, who died at the age of four years; 
and W. M., a resident of Waterloo, Iowa. 
The father was a contractor and builder, 
and for seven years after his marriage re- 
mained in the Keystone state, removing 
thence to Johnson county, Iowa, on the 4th 
of October, 1864. There he took up his 



abode upon a farm and engaged in the till- 
ing of the soil until the spring of 1883, when 
he removed to Cofifeyville, Kansas. He also 
bought a tract of land in that locality and 
continued to engage in agricultural pursuits. 
His wife died December 19, 1898, in Solon, 
Iowa, \\ hile on the way to visit her youngest 
son, in Waterloo, Iowa. The father still re- 
sides in Coffeyville. 

Robert A. Stewart was a lad of only 
seven years when he accompanied his par- 
ents to Johnson county, Iowa, and in the 
public schools there he obtained his element- 
ary education, which was supplemented by a 
course in the McLain Academy. Thus well 
qualified to perform the requirements of a 
business career, he started out for himself 
and learned the paper-making trade in Iowa 
City, following that pursuit for six years, 
although not all of the time in this state. 
He was employed in that way in Blooming- 
ton and in Quincy, Illinois, and became an 
expert workman in that line. In 1881 he 
became identified with the first glucose sugar 
manufactory of the state, the enterprise be- 
ing located in Iowa City. In the fall of that 
year he went to Aurelia, Cherokee county, 
Iowa, where he entered the employ of the 
\\'isconsin Lumber Company, but after a 
short period he began dealing in lumber for 
that firm by opening a lumber yard at Pat- 
terson, Clay county, Iowa, having the man- 
agement of the enterprise until the spring 
of 1887. He then removed his family to 
Osborne City, Kansas, and made tliat point 
his headquarters while he traveled for a year 
for a lumber company doing business at 
Atchison, Kansas. In 1888 he took charge of 
the yards of the Chicago Lumber Company, 
at Burroak, Kansas, where he ranained 
for three years. Again he became connected 
with the \\'isconsin Lumber Company on 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



317 



the 1st of April, 1891, when he assumed 
the management of its lumber yards in Pom- 
eroy. He thoroughly understands the busi- 
ness, is an excellent judge of lumber, is con- 
versant with its values and is well known 
in lumber circles throughout this and the 
Sunflower state. That he resumed his con- 
nection with the Wisconsin Company is an 
unmistakable proof of the confidence reposed 
in him and of his ability in the line of his 
chosen vocation. 

On the I2th of March. 1884, Mr. Stew- 
art was united in marriage in Patterson, 
Iowa, to Miss Minnie Wells, a daughter of 
L. E. W^ells, who is in the employ of the 
Chicago & Northwestern Railway Company. 
Her parents were natives of Xew York, but 
she was born in Minnesota. Two children 
grace the marriage of our subject and his 
wife : Cecil McDonald and William Carl. 
The parents are members of the Methodist 
church, and are deeply interested in all that 
pertains to the upbuilding of the cause. 
Tliey were residing in Pomeroy at the time 
of the great storm whose cyclonic force de- 
stroyed so much of this city. Tlie house 
in which they were then living was partially 
destroyed. The wife and children took 
refuge in the cellar of Dr. Wright's house, 
but the Doctor and our subject were up 
stairs. 

Mr. Stewart is an exemplary member of 
Solar Lodge, No. 475, F. & A. M., and also 
has membership relations with the Modern 
\\"oodmen of America. In politics he has 
been a stalwart Republican since attaining 
his right of franchise. He served as a mem- 
ber of the lx)ard of county supervisors in 
Clay county, Iowa, and for five years he has 
been a member of the city council of Pom- 
eroy, while for two years he has been hon- 
ored with the office of mavor, filling the lat- 



ter position at the present time. His official 
career is above the shadow of reproach. He 
fully understands the obligations devolving 
upon him and falters not in the performance 
of duty, and as the chief executive of Pom- 
eroy his labors have been both practical and 
progressive, resulting to the direct benefit 
of the city. Since starting out in life for 
himself at the age of seventeen years he de- 
termined to place his faith in the substantial 
qualities of industry and perseverance, and 
when one examines his life record to find 
the secret of his success they will find that 
those have been the salient features in his 
career. 



ASA C. DOUGLASS. 

There is much in the history of Asa C. 
Douglass that is worthy of emulation, for 
his has been an active and useful life and 
honorable principles have characterized his 
relations with his fellow men. He is num- 
bered among the early settlers of Reading 
township and has been an active factor in 
promoting the best interests of his section 
of the county. 

Mr. Douglass is a native of Wisconsin, 
his birth having occurred in Baratoo, Octo- 
ber 18, 1847, h^'' parents being Elisha D. 
and Mary J. (Kerr) Douglass. Both were 
natives of the Empire state and in 1847 
they removed to Wisconsin and became early 
settlers of that locality. He purchased land 
from the government and at once began the 
development of the farm upon which he re- 
sided until about 1887, when he removed to 
Florida. At the time of the Civil war his 
brave and loyal spirit was manifested by 
active service, for during two years he was 
a member of Company I, of the Sixteenth 



3i8 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Wisconsin Infantry. Throughout his busi- 
ness career he carried on agricultural pur- 
suits and was a most industrious and ener- 
getic man. In politics he was a Republican 
and held a number of township ofihces. He 
died at the age of seventy-six years, and his 
wife passed away when but forty-five years 
of age. They were the parents of five sons 
and five daughters, and of this number seven 
are yet living: Philena L., Malvina, Char- 
lotte, Emma, Alice, Asa C. and Frank D. 
Those who have passed away are George 
W., Elisha D. and John D., the first named 
having been killed in the battle of Antietam 
in the Civil war. 

Asa C. Douglass spent the days of his 
boyhood and youth in the usual manner of 
farmer lads of that period. He enjoyed the 
pleasures of the play-grounds, pursued his 
education in the district schools and worked 
in the fields through the summer months. 
Remaining at home until twenty-one years 
of age. he then started out in life on his own 
account and began learning the carpenter's 
trade, while subsequently he engaged in 
farming. The first money he ever earned, 
however, was by working in the hop yards 
of Wisconsin. The first land which he ever 
owned was a tract of forty acres in \'ernon 
county, Wisconsin, upon which he remained 
for seven years. 

In October, 1872. :\Ir. Douglass was 
united in marriage to Miss Myrtie Hall, who 
was born in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, Au- 
gust 26, 1850, and is the daughter of John 
M. and Susanna (Purdy) Hall, the former 
a native of \'ermont and the latter of Penn- 
sylvania. Her father was a farmer by oc- 
cupation and spent his days in Wisconsin, 
passing away in \'ernon county at the age 
of seventy-three years, while his wife died 



at the age of sixty-nine. In his family were 
five children : Silas, Lucius, Eliza, Mrs. 
Douglass and Emma. 

It was in 1880 that Asa C. Douglass 
came to Calhouu county, Iowa. He pur- 
chased a tract of raw land of eighty acres in 
Reading township, and as his financial re- 
sources increased he added to this until he 
owned four hundred acres, which he has 
now sold. For many years, however, he 
made his home upon that farm and success- 
fully carried on stock-raising. He kept as 
high as one hundred head of stock and fed 
as high as four carloads each year. Mr. 
Douglass resided upon his farm until March, 
1901, when he took up his abode in Farn- 
hamville, where he is now living retired, en- 
joying the fruits of his former toil. He has, 
however, purchased land in Canyon county, 
in Payette valley, Idaho, and also prop- 
erty in the village of Payette and expects 
soon to remove to that state, which may well 
be called the Gem of the Mountains. 

L'nto Mr. and Mrs. Douglass have been 
born six children: Clara, Bertha, George, 
Howard, Florence and Leon. In his polit- 
ical views Mr. Douglass has always been 
a Republican, and although he has never 
sought office he has always been active in 
promoting every movement that he lielieved 
would result to the benefit of his party. His 
has been an active life, in which untiring 
diligence has enabled him to conquer all 
difficulties and obstacles in his path, and 
work his way to success. He had no special 
advantage along educational lines or in busi- 
ness, but with determined purpose he has 
made the most of his opportunities, and to- 
day stands among those whose enterprise 
and consecutive lalxir have brought to them 
prosperity. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



319- 



CLARK RICHARDSON. 

Clark Ricliardson, who is now doing a 
successful business as a dealer in coal, feed 
and tile at Knierim, Iowa, and is also en- 
gaged in farming in Greenfield township, 
was born on the 12th of Februarj-, 1858, in 
Hamilton. Ontario, Canada, and is a son of 
J. \\'. and Isabel (Ackerly) Richardson, 
both natives of England, the former born 
on Good Friday, in April, 1830, the latter 
November 10, 1S31. Their home was in 
the northern part of that country and there 
they were married. About 1853 the father 
emigrated to America and first settled in 
Michigan, being in the employ of the Mich- 
igan Central Railroad for a few years. He 
then returned to England for his wife and 
tv.'o children, who had remained in tliat 
country, and in March, 1S57, brought them 
to the new world. Tlie family spent a few 
months in Hamilton, Ontario, though Mr. 
Richardson made his headquarters at De- 
troit, Michigan, being still in the employ of 
the Michigan Central Railroad. They next 
made their home at Torch La'ke in northern 
Michigan, where he bought a tract of timber 
land, residing there one year. In 1859 they 
removed to Chicago, and left that city on the 
6th of November, i860, the day Abraham 
Lincoln was elected president of the United 
States for the first time. Since then the fa- 
ther has made his home in Aurora, Illinois, 
where for several years he was in the em- 
ploy of the Chicago, Burlingtoni & Quincy 
Railroad, and has since engaged in contract- 
ing and building. In his family were seven 
children, namely: John W., now a farmer 
of Ottertail county, Minnesota; Thomas 
W., who was killed on the railroad in 1877 
when twenty-five years of age : Clark, of this 
review; Jeremiali, who died in 1863 at the 



age of eleven months and twenty-three days; 
Frank, who died at the age of thirty-six 
years; Beeby E., a resident of Geneva, Illi- 
nois, and the present deputy sheriff of Kane 
county; and Henry E., who died in 1869, 
aged two years, four months and twenty- 
seven days. 

The subject of this sketch was principally 
reared antl educated in Aurora, Illinois, pur- 
suing his studies in the public schools of 
that city. He also attended school in 
Wright county, Iowa, for one winter. At 
the age of fourteen years he began earning 
his own livelihood and worked at various 
occupations in Iowa and Illinois. For a 
time he was employed on a farm, and later 
worked at the carpenter's trade in the coach 
department of the Chicago. Burlington & 
Quincy Railroad for five years, previous to 
which time he was employed in wood ma- 
chine works. In 1881 Mr. Richardson 
bought the west half of the northeast cjuar- 
ter of section 9, Greenfield township, Cal- 
houn county, Iowa, now within the corporate 
limits of Knierim, and on leaving the rail- 
road company commenced farming upon 
this tract. It was a wild and barren piece 
of land when it came into his possession, but 
he has since broken it and placed it under 
a high state of cultivation. He has erected 
a good set of farm buildings thereon, planted 
a large grove, and made many other im- 
provements, so that he now has one of the 
most desirable farms of its size in his sec- 
tion of the county. In connection with the 
operation of his land Mr. Richardson is now 
engaged in the coal, feed and tile business 
in Knierim, being the fir.st to handle coal in 
that town, and he now enjoys a good trade, 
which is constantly increasing. 

At the home of the bride in DeKalb 
county, Illinois, Mr. Richardson was mar- 



320 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ried, December 29, 1880, to Miss Mary 
Jane Wright, who was borm December 11, 
1,859, ^"d is the second in order of birth in 
a family of seven children, her parents be- 
ing George and Elizabeth (Scott) Wright. 
By this union have been born three children, 
namely : Cora E., the oldest, was born No- 
vember 22. 1882, and was married at the 
home of her parents April 16, 1902, to 
Clyde C. Cooper, the son of Walter J. and 
Maria E. Cooper, of Greenfield township. 
Elmer L., born July 21, 1884, now assists 
his father in the operation of the home farm 
during the summer and attends school 
through the winter months. Henry R., the 
youngest, was born on the ist of May, 1893, 
at the hour when President Cleveland 
touched the button at the opening of the 
World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. 
Mr. Richardson and his family are mem- 
bers of the Methodist Episcopal church, of 
which he is now a trustee, and he also be- 
longs to the Independent Order of Odd Fel- 
lows and the ^lodern Woodmen of America, 
being secretary and clerk of his camp in the 
latter fraternity. Politically he is identified 
with the Republican party, and as a public- 
spirited and progressive citizen he takes a 
deep interest in those enterprises calculated 
to advance the moral, social and material 
welfare of his town and countv. 



FREDERICK B. RAMIGE. 

The subject of this personal narative is 
one of the most enterprising and prosperous 
farmers within the borders of Lake Creek 
township. He has made his special field 
of industry an eminent success, and is high- 
ly esteemed and respected by all with whom 



he is brought in contact either in business or 
social life. 

Mr. Ramige was born in Tazewell coun- 
ty, Illinois, December 29, 1848, and is a son 
of George and Barbara (Eyer) Ramige, 
both of whom \\ ere natives of Germany, the 
former born October 26, 18 10, the latter 
February 24, 1813. The father was eight- 
een years of age when he came to this coun- 
try, and for about twenty years he made his 
home in New York state, removing thence 
to Tazewell county, Illinois, in 1849. -^'S 
last years, however, were spent in Calhoun 
county, Iowa, where he died in 1892, at the 
age of eighty-two years. His early life was 
(Ic\Lpted tO' the ministry, in connection with 
the Evangelical Association, but later he fol- 
lowed farming in connection with local 
preaching. His wife also' passed away in 
this county in 1891, at the age of seventy- 
eight years. They were the parents of ten 
children, seven of whom reached man and 
womanhood, namely : Christina, who mar- 
ried Solomon La Rosh and is now deceased; 
Mrs. Mary Iwig, a resident of ^Minnesota; 
George, of Woodford county, Illinois; 
Plenry, of Lake Creek township, Calhoun 
county, Iowa; William, of Ontario, Cali- 
fornia; Fred B., of this review; and Emma, 
of Minnesota. 

Frederick B. Ramige spent his boyhood 
and youth in Illinois, and acquired his early 
education in the public schools of his native 
county. He also attended college at Naper- 
ville, Illinois, and took a course at a business 
college in Peoria. He taught school for sev- 
eral years during the winter months, while 
the summer season was devoted to agricult- 
ural pursuits. In the spring of 1875 ^""^ ^""^ 
■his brother William came to Calhoun coun- 
ty, Iowa, from Illinois, where their father 
had purchased six hundred acres of land. 




F. B. RAMIGE. 



■ 


M ^ t^^^H 




^^^^H 


^H 


^HH^^^H 










^K^^ 


^^^^^^^1 



MRS. F. B. RAMIGE. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



325 



They settled in Lake Creek township, and 
together they engaged in farming for five 
years, at the end of which time they were 
joined by their brother Henry. The three 
now own over nine hundred acres of land 
in Lake Creek township. Our subject has 
two hundred acres where he now resides and 
■one hundred and forty acres in another farm, 
and lias made many useful and valualjle im- 
provements upon these places. Each year he 
plants from fifty to sixty acres in corn and 
about the same amount in small grain, leav- 
ing the remainder for pasture and meadow 
land. He keeps from forty tO' sixty head 
of cattle, his specialty being short-horns. 

On the 30th of March, 1876, Mr. Ramige 
led to the marriage altar Miss Elizabeth 
Fischer, also a native of Illinois, born on 
the nth of October, 1856, and a daughter 
of John and Margaret Fischer. Her father, 
who was a farmer by occupation, died in 
that state, and her mother spent her last 
•days at the home of our subject. Mr. and 
Mrs. Ramige have three children, namely: 
William F., Bertha R. and Laura I. 

Politically Air. Ramige is a stanch sup- 
porter of the Republican party and its prin- 
ciples, and as one of the representative and 
prominent men of his community he has 
beai called upon to fill various official posi- 
tions of honor and trust. He has served as' 
trustee and secretary of the school board 
and township clerk, and was also county su- 
perx'isor for two terms, from 1893 until 
1899. In all the relations of life he has 
been found true to every trust reposed in 
him, and well merits the confidence and re- 
spect so freely accorded him. He is an 
active member of the Lnited Exangelical 
church in his township, and is a trustee of 
the same. He belongs to an old and hon- 
ored family of this community that has long 



been identified with the growth and devel- 
opment of the county, and is deserving of 
prominent mention in its history. 



H. A. LOVE. 



H. A. Love is now living a retired life 
in Manson. He was formerly connected 
with agricultural interests in Calhoun coun- 
ty, and the years brought to him success as 
the reward of his earnest labor and inde- 
fatigable effort. He claims Wisconsin as 
the state of his nativity, his birth having 
there occurred on the loth of November, 
1849. His parents, Horace and Gracia 
(Ashton) Love, were natives of New York, 
but were'married in Wisconsin and there the 
father engaged in contlucting a hotel. In 
the year 1866 he brought his family to Iowa, 
locating in Marshall county, where he pur- 
chased land on what is called Green Moun- 
tain. In 1872, however, he sold that prop- 
erty and removed to Center township, Cal- 
houn county, where he purchased a c^uarter- 
section of raw prairie on which not a furrow 
had Ijeen turned or an improvement made. 
He built upon his farm good fences and with 
oxen and horse teams broke his land, prepar- 
ing it for cultivation. From that time on- 
ward until his death, his attention and en- 
ergies were given to agricultural pursuits. 
He passed away in October, 1880, but his 
widow is still living, making her home widi 
Mrs. Churchill in Mills county, Iowa. In 
1875 the father served as sujiervisor for his 
township and held other local ofiices, dis- 
charging his duties with ])romptness and 
fidelity. In his political views he was a Re- 
publican, and for many years he was a 
w'orthy and exemplary member of the Odd 



326 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Fellows society. In the familj' were six 
children, namely : Adelaide, the wife of 
James Churchill, of Malvern, Mills coun- 
ty, Iowa ; H. A., of this review ; James, who 
married Emma Strobby and resides in 
Woodbine, Iowa; Charles, who married 
Carrie Hamblin, and is engaged in the prac- 
tice of medicine in Beatrice, Nebraska; Jen- 
nie, the wife of Robert Fowler, of Sioux 
City, Iowa: and Donald J., who married 
Julia Larrabee, a daughter of ex-Governor 
Larrabee, who now resides in Lincoln asd 
is one of the most prominent jurists of that 
locality, serving at the present time as judge 
of his district. 

In the public schools of Janesville, \\'is- 
cpnsin, H. A. Love pursued his education, 
but at the age of fourteen he put aside his 
text-books in order to give his entire atten- 
tion to the work of the home farm, with 
which he was actively connected until twenty 
years of age, having in the meantime accom- 
panied his parents to Iowa. He then re- 
turned to Wisconsin, working with his uncle 
in the manufacture of corn planters, but in 
1872 he once more returned to this state, 
taking up his abode in Calhoun county, 
where he purchased a quarter-section of 
wild land, for it was in its primitive condi- 
tion. This he fenced and cultivated and in 
the course of time his determined ettorts 
had transformed the place into a valuable 
property. 

On the 1 6th of August, 1876, in Fort 
Dodge. Iowa, ilr. Love was united in mar- 
riage to Miss Anna Sullivan, who was born 
in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, September 
15, 11854. her parents l>eing Eugene and 
Marie (Alworth) Sullivan, both of whom 
were nati\-es of countv Kerry. Ireland. Their 
marriage was celebrated on the Emerald 
Isle, and there the father engaged in farm- 



ing until about 1850, when with his family- 
he crossed the broad Atlantic to the new 
world. He died and was buried in Phila- 
delphia in 1859. In 1 86 1 his widow became 
the wife of Daniel McCarthy, who was a 
native of the Green Isle of Erin and died in 
1895. Mrs. McCarthy is now living in' 
Washington, D. C. By her first marriage 
she had three children: Anna, the wife of 
our subject; Timothy, who died at the age 
of forty-three years : and Eugene, who died 
in infancy. By the second marriage the 
mother of Airs. Love had one child. Jerald, 
who died in infancy. Six children have 
been born unto our subject and his wife- 
Charles was born May 27. 1877. and died 
on the 26th of January, 1879. Francis L.,. 
wiio was born January i, 1879. is a grad- 
uate of Chicago L^niversity. At the out- 
lireak of the Spanish-American war he en- 
listed on the 3d of July, 1898. becoming a 
member of Company C, Fifty-second Iowa 
Infantry, and later he was transferred to 
the Fifty-second Iowa Band. With his- 
command he went to Chickamauga. where, 
after serving for about two months, he was 
taken ill with typhoid fever, and then sent 
to his home. For some time he suffered 
from the fever, but ultimately recovered his 
health. Prior to his enlistment he enga_ged 
in teaching school, and now he is studying 
medicine, expecting to make its practice his 
life work. Dorance T., the third member 
of the family, was born April 21, 1882, and 
is now a student of the dental department 
of the State University in Iowa City. Evan- 
geline, born June 2"/. 1884. is a graduate of 
the class of 1902 in the Manson high school. 
The next member of the family died in in- 
fancy. Horace, who is the youngest, was. 
l>orn October 18. 1889. and is now a student 
in the Manson schools. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



327 



After liis marriage Mr. Love became a 
resident of Mills county, Iowa, where he re- 
mained until November following, when he 
returned to Calhoun county. Here he pur- 
chased eighty acres of land in Center town- 
ship and afterward added to it until he now 
owns a quarter-section. In 1887, however, 
he retired from active farming life and re- 
moved to Manson, where he purchased good 
city property and built a modern residence. 
There he engaged in general merchandising 
as a member of the firm of Sullivan & Love, 
but in 1897 he sold his interest in the busi- 
ness and is now living retired. His polit- 
ical support is given the Republican party, 
and socially he is connected with ]\Iornuig 
Light Lodge, F. & A. M. Drawing the 
lessons which we do from the life of ^Ir. 
Love, we learn that the qualifications neces- 
sary for success are a high ambition and a 
resolute, honorable purpose to reach the ex- 
alted standard which has Ijeen set up. From 
an early date he has been dependent ui>on 
his own resources and has won the proud 
American title of a self-made man. 



ABRAHAM L. RISELY. 

Abraham L. Risely is capably filling the 
position of county sherifif of Calhoun coun- 
ty. He is a courteous gentleman, of ster- 
ling worth and well does he merit the official 
honor that has been conferred upon him. 
He is a representative of an old New Eng- 
land family. His ancestry can be traced 
back to Connecticut, where at an early epoch 
in American history lived members of the 
Risely family. Andrew Risely, born in 
1732, died in 1813, while his wife, Mary, 
who was born in 1731. passed away in 



iSi I. They made their home in Woodstock, 
Ulster county. New York, and when called 
to the home beyond their remains were in- 
terred in the cemetery there. They had 
three children : Wilhelmus, Christopher 
and Christian. The first named was the 
progenitor of the family now residing in 
eastern New York and also of the repre- 
sentatives of the name who emigrated to the 
west. His birth occurred in 1764 and his 
death in 181 1, while his wife, who was born 
in 1770, died in 1820. Their five children 
were : William. Cornelius, Andrew, Jere- 
miah and Polly, all of whom reached mature 
years and reared families of their own. 
William married Abigail Markle, of ^Vood- 
stock. Lister county. New York, and after- 
ward removed to Shandaken, in the same 
county. His children were also' five in num- 
ber — J. ^larkle. William Edmund, .\lhert 
^\'., Jeremiah and Joseph. Of this num- 
ber the first named married Helen Grinard, 
of Woodstock, and removed to Independ- 
ence, Buchanan county, Iowa, where he is 
now living. His children are Annie, of 
Cedar Falls, Black Hawk county, Iowa ; 
Nellie and Sarah, who are living in Inde- 
pendence, this state; Frank, of Grand Rap- 
ids, Michigan; and Zette, of Independence, 
Iowa. William Edmund, the second child 
of William Risely and Abigail Markle, re- 
moved tO' Iowa and was married to Mary 
Begunn, at Independence, Iowa, by whom 
he hail two children, \\'illiam and Ellen. 
All)ert W., the third child of William and 
Abigail Risely, was married to Margaret 
Bradstreet, of Shandaken, Ulster county, 
and in 1854 came to Iowa. In their family 
were si.x children : Abigail and Joseph, who 
are residents of Independence. Iowa ; Polly, 
Fremont, Abraham Lincoln and Albert Ed- 
mund, all of whom reside in Rtxrkwell City, 



328 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Calhoun county. Jeremiali, tlie fourth child 
of William Risely. married Susan Hayes, 
of Fleischmans, Delaware county, New 
York, and their home is now in Shandaken, 
Ulster county. Joseph, the fifth child of 
William Risely, married Hannah Bradstreet, 
of Shandaken, New York, and their home 
is now in Allaben, New York. Their seven 
children are : \\'illiam. Edmund, Arthur, 
George B. McClelland, ]\Iargaret, Jennie M. 
and Joseph H. 

Cornelius Risely, who was the second 
•child of Wilhelmus Risley, resided at ^^'ood- 
stock, New York, and married Jane Eltinge, 
of that place. They had nine children: 
W'ashington, Egbert, Aaron, !Maria, Rebec- 
ca, James, Andrew, William and Levi ; the 
last four deceased. The first named, Wash- 
ington, married Kate Nash and resides at 
Woodstock, New York. Egbert, the second 
child of Cornelius, married Kate Xehr, and 
they have two children — \\'ilson, who is liv- 
ing in Mount Pleasant, New York, and 
Herbert, in Woodstock, of that state. Aaron, 
the third child of Cornelius Risely, married 
Annie Nehr, and is living in Woodstock. 
They had four children : Cornelius, Lizzie, 
-Harry and Frank, and the last named is de- 
ceased. Maria, the fourth child of Cor- 
nelius Risley, became the wife of the Rev. 
Cornelius I. Blauvelt, of Newark, New 
York. He is now deceased and his widow is 
residing in Kingston, LHster county. They 
had four children : Jennie, who has passed 
away; Arthur Cornelius; Lizzie Ann; and 
Irving Garrett. The living children are resi- 
dents of Kingston. Rebecca, the fifth child 
of Cornelius Risely, married Abram Van 
Etten, and with their two children, Wycoff 
and Addie, they are living in Woodstock, 
New York. James, who was the sixth child 
of Cornelius Riselv, married Christina 



Lasher, and is now deceased, but his widow 
is living in \\'oodstock, New York. They 
had six children: Charles; Josephine, de- 
ceased; Mary; Ophelia; Libb}- and George. 
Andrew, now deceased, the seventh child of 
Cornelius Risely, married Alargaret Britt, 
who is living in \\'oodstock with their one 
child, Gulick. \\'illiam, also deceased, the 
eighth child of Cornelius Risely, married 
Elizabeth Bostick, who resides in Kingston. 
Levi, the ninth member of this family, died 
in infancy. 

Andrew Risely, the third child of Wil- 
helmus Risely, married L. Benscoter, of 
\\'oodstock. New York, and their childre.i 
were Peter and ]\Iaria. The former married 
a Miss Longyear, and they had two children, 
John and Ferris, but both are deceased. 

Jeremiah Risely, the fourth child of Wil- 
helmus Risely, married Ellen Sims, and 
both hsxe passed away. They had five chil- 
dren : Cornelius ; Levi, of Pennsyhania ; 
!Mark C, of \\'oodstock; James and Henry, 
both deceased. Of these, Cornelius married 
Lydia Houston and they had two children, 
Charles and Fred S., who are living with 
them in Kingston. Mark C, the third mem- 
ber of this family, resides at Woodstock, 
New York, and has one child, Irving. 
Henry, who was the fifth of the family, had 
two children. Walter and Minnie, who are 
residing in Kingston, New York. 

Polly, who was the fifth cliild of Wil- 
helmus Risely, married Levi Newkirk, of 
Woodstock, and they had a daughter, Kath- 
erine Ann, who became the wife of Peter 
Lewis Herder, of Woodstock, and their chil- 
dren were Le\-i and Elliot. The former has 
three chiklren, Edward, Hattie and Leroy, 
while Elliot has one child, Louis. 

The members of the Risely family have 
usually followed agricultural pursuits. They 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



329 



have been sober, industrious people, who 
have lived upright, moral lives in accord 
with the teachings of Christianity, and of 
recent years reunions of the members of 
the Risely family have been held and are 
very pleasant gatherings, calling together a 
large concourse of people. 

Abraham L. Risely, whose name intro- 
duces this record, was born and reared in 
the Empire State and in the spring of 1882 
came to Calhoun county. In the previous 
year he had purchased one hundred and 
twenty acres of land in Twin Lakes town- 
ship and this he began to improve, making it 
a valuable tract of land by reason of the care 
and cultivation which he bestowed upon it. 

In 1 88 1 Mr. Risely was united in mar- 
riage to Miss Emma B. Huff, and their 
union has been blessed with five children, 
but Daisy O., the fourth in the order of 
birth, is now deceased. The others are : 
Maude B., Xettie G., Bessie L. and Mar- 
garet B. The family now reside in Rock- 
well City. In 1900 ]\Ir. Risely sold his land 
and removed to the county seat, having been 
elected to the position of county sheriff for 
a term of two years. He filled that office 
so capably that he was then re-elected and 
is now serving: his second term. 



LEWIS D. WILSON. 

Lewis D. Wilson is one of the worthy 
citizens that Sweden has furnished to Iowa. 
He was born February 10, 1836, and his 
parents are Daniel and Melina (Pearson) 
Wilson, who were also natives of Sweden, 
in which land they spent their entire lives. 
The father was a farmer by occupation and 
followed that pursuit in providing for his 
family. Lewis D. Wilson was reared and 



educated in his native country. He there 
entered upon his business career as a farmer, 
but believing that he might have better op- 
portunities in the new world, he resolved to 
seek a home in America, and in 1868 
crossed the Atlantic. Making his way west- 
ward, he took up his abode in Knox coun- 
ty, Illinois, and subsequently resided in 
Whiteside county. As he had no capital to 
aid him or give him a start, he worked out 
by the day or month as a farm hand and 
was thus employed for two years. On the 
expiration of that period he began farming 
oil his own account upon a tract of rented 
land, and when, through his industry and 
economy, he had acquired some capital he 
purchased a farm of eight)' acres in White- 
side county, continuing its cultivation and 
improvement until i88r, when he sought a 
home in Iowa. It was in that year that he 
located upon the farm where he now lives. 
Here he has made an excellent home and has 
built upon his land substantial buildings and 
all modern improvements. His first pur- 
chase comprised one hundred and sixty 
acres, to which he has added until his pos- 
sessions now aggregate four hundred and 
fort)' acres. With the aid of his sons he 
cultivates his farm, and has one hundred 
and twenty-five acres planted with corn, one 
hundred and forty acres with small grain 
and fifty acres in pasture and meadow land, 
reaping from the latter good hay harvests. 
He keeps on hand from sixty to seventy 
head of short-horn cattle and at the head of 
his herd he has a full-blooded short-horn 
bull. He also raises horses, having from ten 
to twelve head. He is now feeding cattle 
quite extensively and is also engaged in rais- 
ing hogs. As a dealer in stock he is meet- 
ing with good success and his general farm- 
ing is also profitable. 



330 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Mr. Wilson was married, in i860, to 
Pamelia Pearson, who was born in Sweden 
in 1840. To him she was a faithful com- 
panion and helpmate on life's journey for 
almost forty-one years, and her death, which 
occurred February 16, 1901, was deeply 
mourned not only by her husband and fam- 
ily, but also by many friends. Unto Mr. 
and Mrs. ^\'ilson were born eight children, 
namely: Mary, Nels, Swan, Emma, Ed- 
ward, Frederick. Lydia and Frank. 

The Republican party receives the po- 
litical support of Mr. Wilson, and he has 
served as township trustee, a position which 
he filled for six years and then resigned. 
He was also township assessor for four 
years and is now road supervisor. His of- 
ficial duties have ever been discharged with 
marked promptness and fidelity. He be- 
longs to the Lutheran church and co-operates 
in all movements for the general good along 
intellectual and moral as well as material 
lines. He is distinctively a self-made man, 
and the success which has crowned his ef- 
forts is the merited reward of earnest and 
lionest labor. 



WILLIAM H. DAVIDSON. 

Thirty-five years have passed since Will- 
iam H. Davidson came to Calhoun county 
to cast in his lot with its pioneers. People 
of the present period can scarcely realize the 
struggles and dangers which attended the 
early settlers, the heroism and self-sacrifice 
of lives passed upon the borders of civiliza- 
tion, the hardsh.ips endured, the difficulties 
overcome. These tales of the early days 
T€ad almost like a romance to those who 
have known only the modern prosperity and 



conveniences. To the pioneer of the early 
days, far removed from the privileges and 
conveniences of city or town, the struggle 
for existence was a stern and hard one, and 
these men and women must have ' possessed 
indomitable energies and sterling wortli of 
character, as well as marked physical cour- 
age, when they thus voluntarily selected 
such a life and successfully fought its bat- 
tles under such circumstances as prevailed 
in the northwest. William H. Davidson is 
a retired farmer residing in Manson, Cal- 
houn county. He was born in Carlisle, 
Pennsylvania, July 16, 1833, and is a son 
of David M. and Elizabeth (Wetzell) 
Davidson. His father was a native of Vir- 
ginia and his mother of Cumberland coun- 
ty, Pennsylvania, and in the latter state they 
were married. In 1847 they emigrated 
w'estward, settling in West Jersey, Illinois. 
The father was a tanner by trade and he 
served his country in the Mexican war, par- 
ticipating in all the famous battles under 
Generals Scott and Cameron. He died in 
Missouri, February 3, 1866, and his wife 
passed away January 27, 1863. In their 
family were three sons, the eldest being 
William H., of this review. Alexander 
married Hadessa Shannon, but Ixrth are now 
deceased. Milliner P. married Miss Laura 
Lyons and after her death wedded Carrie 
Turner, witli whom he is now living in Ex- 
celsior, Minnesota. 

William H. Davidson pursued his early 
education in a pri\ate school in Carlisle, 
Pennsylvania, and later attended the Pres- 
b\-terian Seminary. At the age of fourteen 
he put aside his text-books and accompanied 
his parents on their removal to Illinois, after 
which he spent three years upon a farm. He 
then went to Peoria, where he learned the 
cabinetmaker's trade, which he followed for 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



331 



five years and tlien returned to tlae farm. In 
the meantime he had purchased a tract of 
land, and this he operated until January 31, 
1856. 

Mr. Da\-idson was married in West Jer- 
sey, Stark county, Illinois, to Miss Rachel 
Jane Hazen, a relative of Judge Hazen and 
a native of Hackettstown, Warren county. 
New Jersey. She was born January 31, 
1838, her parents being Jacob and Jane 
(Mitchell) Hazen, who were also natives of 
Warren county, where they were reared and 
married. In 1839 they sought a home in 
the Mississippi valley, locating in Fulton 
county, but afterward Mr. Hazen invested in 
land in Stark county and made his home 
thereon until his life's labors were ended in" 
death. He exercised his right of franchise 
in support of the men and measures of the 
Democratic party, and was a loyal member 
of the Methodist Episcopal church. He 
passed away in 1847 and his wife died in 
1868. This worthy couple were the par- 
ents of six children: George married Mar- 
guerita Pratt, now deceased, and resides in 
Stark county, Illinois. John B. married 
Eliza Anthony and is a resident of Toulon, 
Illinois. Sedgwick married Isabelle Barr 
and resides in Galesburg, Illinois. Sarah, 
the wife of Samuel Shannon, is living in 
McLean, Nebraska. Rachel is the wife of 
orr subject. Jacob married Ada Hunt, but 
both have passed away. 

After the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. 
Davidson they resided upon his farm in 
Stark county, Illinois, until the Civil war 
was inaugurated, when, on the 6th of June, 
1862, he enlisted in Chicago as a member of 
Company H, Sixty-ninth Illinois Infantry. 
There he was mustered in and acted on 
guard duty for three months, being dis- 
charged on the 6th of December of the 



same year. Not content, however, to render 
such a short service to his country, he re- 
enlisted at Chicago on the 23d of August, 
1863, as a member of Company H, Fifty- 
seventh Illinois Infantry, and went to 
Springfield, where he was assigned to de- 
tached service. In December following he 
was ordered back to his regiment and sent 
to Nasihville, where he received an order 
from Secretary Stanton to report at New 
York. There he met General John A. Lo- 
gan, "the black eagle," and went with him 
to Port Royal island, proceeding thence to 
Savannah, while later he accompanied Gen- 
eral Slocum to Sister's Ferry, Georgia, con- 
tinuing with this command until they 
reached Branchville, South Carolina. While 
engaged in building breastworks at Whipple 
Swamp in front of the place where the en- 
emy was stationed he was wounded and 
taken to the field hiospiital, where he re- 
mained for some time. The surgeon in 
charge did not want him to return to the 
service until his wound had healed, but he 
stole away and after walking for a mile he 
rode from Fayetteville, North Carolina, to 
Manchester, Virginia, a distance of one hun- 
dred miles. There he joined his command 
and then went to Alexander and later to 
Washington, where he took part in the 
grand review under General Sherman, the 
most celebrated military pageant ever seen 
on the western continent. Later he pro- 
ceeded to Parkersburg and on to Louisville, 
Kentucky, where he was honorably dis- 
charged, June 27, 1865. Returning to Chi- 
cago, he was there mustered out, but for 
some time was under treatment in the hos- 
pital on account of the wounds he had sus- 
tained. 

Returning home, Mr. Davidson resumed 
the work of the farm and devoted his atten- 



332 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



lion to agricultural pursuits in Stark coun- 
ty, Illinois, until 1867, when he came with 
his family to Iowa, securing a homestead 
claim on section 34, Lincoln township, Cal- 
houn county. This was his place of resi- 
dence until February, 1901, when he re- 
mo\-ed to Manson, where he has since lived 
retired. His first purchase consisted of one 
hundred and sixty acres of raw prairie land, 
but with characteristic energ}' he developed 
this, transforming it into a richly cultivated 
tract, and as his financial resources increased 
he added to it until he now owns four hun- 
dred and forty-six acres of valuable land, on 
which his sons reside. Pioneer conditions 
existed during the early years of his resi- 
dence here. The Indians would come every 
year and camp in this locality, but they were 
quite friendly. Wild game was to be had 
in abundance, especially elk, and the hunter 
had amply opportunity to indulge his love 
of the chase. Fort Dodge was then but a 
trading post, and Boone was the nearest 
railroad center. Mr. Davidson aided in re- 
claiming the wild land for purposes of civ- 
ilization, and his work in other directions 
proved of great value in advancing civiliza- 
tion and in promoting puljjic progress and 
improvement. He was the contractor and 
builder of the first county courthouse in 
Rockwell City in 1877. He has erected a 
great many puljlic buildings and residences 
throughout the county, including at least 
two-thirds of the schoolhouses. He built 
the first schoolhouse in the northern part of 
the county, and has ever been active and 
earnest in support of all movements, not 
only for the material development of this 
portion of the state, but for its advancement 
along all lines that have contributed to the 
general good. He has devoted considerable 
attention to the nursery business, and has 



two very fine orchards upon his farm. Both 
he and his brother, who lives in this lo- 
cality, were cabinetmakers and manufactured 
many of the coffins that were used in an 
early day in this county. He is a director 
of the Calhoun County Fire, Lightning & 
Tornado Insurance Company, but is prac- 
tically living retired in the enjoyment of a 
well earned rest. 

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Davidson 
has been blessed with six children : Eliza- 
beth, the wife of William Spitzer, of Lamar 
county, Colorado, who owns a large cattle 
and horse ranch there, and by whom she has 
four children, Ray C, George, Keith D. and 
Albert D. ; Emma, who became the wife of 
■ Edward J. Stephenson, a resident of Lin- 
coln township, and by whom she has one 
daughter, Sara ; U. Grant, who married 
Louie Bliss, by whom' he has two children, 
Reed and Rachel, and -who resides in Sher- 
man township ; J. Verner, who resides on the 
old homestead farm in Lincoln township, 
and married Jennie Kinghorn, of Shakopee, 
Minnesota; Harry, who resides on section 
36, Lincoln township, and who married 
Elizabeth Carrington, by whom he has one 
child, Thorold; and Roy A., residing in 
Castle Rock, Douglass county, Colorado, 
who married Ida B. Snell, of Missouri. He 
and his w^iife are both engaged in teaching 
school, he being principal of the public 
school, and was defeated by only twenty- 
seven votes in the election for county super- 
intendent of schools on the Republican ticket 
in a Democratic county. 

In his political views ^ViIliam H. David- 
son is a stanch Democrat, believing firmly 
in the party, yet always refusing to accept 
office, for he does not seek political prefer- 
ment as a reward for party fealty. He be- 
longs to Morning Light Lodge, No. 313, 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



333 



F. & A. M., is also a Royal Arch Mason 
and a member of the order of the Eastern 
Star, his identification with the craft cover- 
ing a quarter of a century. For many years 
he served as tyler of his lodge and at all 
times he has been true to the teachings of 
the fraternity which is based upon brotherly 
kindness and mutual helpfulness. He is also 
a member of Manson Lodge, Xo. 113, G. 
-A. R. His wife belongs to the Women's 
Relief Corps and is likewise a member of the 
order of the Eastern Star, serving as chap- 
lain of the chapter here. Mr. Davidson has 
attended many of the national encampments 
of the Grand Army of the Republic and also 
the grand lodge of Masons. His wife is a 
member of the Congregational church and 
to its support he has contributed lil>erally. 
He has written a complete history of Lincoln 
township, covering a period from 1867 to 
the present time, and expects to publish this 
in January, 1903. His own life record 
forms an integral part of the history of Cal- 
houn county, for in many lines of progress 
his labors have been of great l)enefit and his 
worth is widely acknowledged. He is an 
honored citizen, and liis upright career has 
commended him to the good will and con- 
fidence of all, and no record ol Calhoun 
county would be complete without mention 
of William H. Davidson. 



FAY SPERRY. 



It is with pleasure that tlie iiistorian pre- 
sents to the readers of tliis volume tiie life 
record of Fay Sperry, for few young men of 
his years have attained to a more creditable 
position in financial circles. He is certainly 
one of the youngest bank owners in tlie state, 
but his ability does not seem to be limited by 
his years. Throughout his business e.xperi- 

19 



ence he has been identified with banking, 
and his knowledge thereof is comprehensive 
and accurate. The institution which he has 
established and is now conducting has al- 
ready won a creditable pla-ce, enjoying is 
marked degree the confidence and support 
of the public. 

Fay Sperry was born in Bryan, Ohio, 
April 8, 1879, and is a son 0^ Charles T. and 
Ejiima (Garver) SperrJ^ The father was a 
native of Connecticut, while the mother of 
our subject was bom in the Buckeye state. 
Qiarles Sperry is now located in Des 
Moines, Iowa, where he is engaged in the 
wholesale grocery business and is accounted 
one of the leading men of this city, actively 
associated with its commercial interests. He 
has there resided for a number of years and 
is among the successful and well known mer- 
chants of that place. 

Mr. Sperry of this review was reared 
in Des Moines, olitaining his elementary ed- 
ucation in the public schools. He also com- 
pleted the high school course in Des Moines 
and then entered Drake University of that 
state. His excellent educational privileges- 
well fitted him for assiuning responsible- 
duties in business life, and on putting aside' 
his text-books he entered upon his business- 
career in the position of remittance clerk ini 
the Des Moines National Bank in 1898. He' 
remained in that institution for two 3'ears,, 
being from time to time promoted as he mas- 
tered the duties assigned to him and gave 
evidence of his excellent business ability. 
On leaving Des Moines he came to Somers,. 
Calhoun county, where, in connection with 
A. R. Daughenbaugh. he established the 
Somers Security Bank in 1901. They carry- 
on a general banking business, also deal in 
real estate, making loans on farm property 
and rq>resent a number of relial)le insur- 



334 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ance companies. In 1901 they erected the 
present bank building, which is well fitted 
up with fine equipments and furnishings and 
has one of the latest improved time safes. 
In fact everj-thing about the bank is such as 
is found in a first-class institution and from 
the establishment of the enterprise the busi- 
ness has continuously increased, owing to 
the conservative methods and well known 
reliability of the gentlemen who are at its 
head. 

On the 5th of June, 1900, was celebrated 
the marriage of Mr. Sperry and Miss Nellie 
Daughenbaugh, and unto them has been 
born one son, Donald D. They have a very 
pleasant home which their hospitality ren- 
ders a favorite resort with their many 
iriends. Mr. Sperry is now serving as jus- 
tice of the peace and notary public and in 
his political views is a stalwart Republican, 
.doing all in his power to promote the growth 
and insure success to his party. In his re- 
ligious faith he is a Congregationalist. 
Pleasant and genial in manner and social in 
disposition, he has become very popular and 
has won a host of warm friends in and 
around Somers. A young man — he has but 
slightly passed maturity, but has given evi- 
dence of the possession of marked business 
ability in executive affairs. He is possessed 
of a laudable ambition and the enterprising 
spirit which is so typical of the west. With 
these qualities to serve as a foundation of 
success there is no doubt but that he will 
gain a ver}- prominent position in financial 
circles. 



J. E. WILLIAMS. 



J. E. \\'illiams was born in Wales, July 
27. 1850, and is a son of Evan and Ann 
-(Rich) W'illiams, both of whom were na- 



tives of Wales. The father died in 1865, 
and with her son Robert the mother came to 
America in the spring of 1880, settling at 
Big Rock, Illinois, where she remained until 
called to her final rest in the" year 1892. 
Four of her sons are yet living, namely : J. 
E., of this review; William, a resident of 
Wales : Robert, who is living in Manson ; 
and Tliomas, of Big Rock, Illinois. 

J. E. Williams of this review was a 
young man of nineteen years when he deter- 
mined to make his home in the "land of the 
free." Crossing the Atlantic, the vessel in 
which he sailed dropped anchor in the har- 
bor of Xew York, and without pausing long 
in the eastern metropolis, Mr. \\'illiams con- 
tinued his journey across the country to 
Milwaukee, W'isconsin, but failing to find 
employment there he proceeded to Wau- 
kesha, where he arrived with only thirty- 
seven cents in his pocket. In that locality 
he was more fortunate in his search for work 
and became employed as a farm hand, fol- 
lowing that pursuit for eight years. 

It was about this time that he sought a 
companion and helpmate for the journey of 
life and was married on the 4th of January, 
1877, to Miss Janette Morris, who was born 
near Waukesha, ]March 18, 1857. Her par- 
ents, Hugh and Janette (Williams) Morris, 
were natives of Wales and were farming 
people, who located in Wisconsin in pioneer 
days. The father died upon his farm there 
in June, 1872, and the following year his 
widow became the wife of David Evans, of 
Oshkosh, Wisconsin. They remained in the 
Badger state until 1883, when they removed 
to Kane county, Illinois, settling at Big 
Rock, which was their place of abode until 
called to the home beyond, Mr. Evans pass- 
ing away in 1897 and his wife in 1898. Mrs. 
Williams has one brother and four sisters 



1 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



335 



still living, namely: David, who resides at 
Big Rock, Illinois; Mrs. Katherine Davis, of 
Bangor, Wisconsin; Mrs. Ellen Hughes, of 
Marshalltown, Iowa; Mrs. Sarah Ingram, of 
Big Rock, Illinois; aiul !Mrs. Alary Harris, 
of Qiicago. 

After his marriage Mr. Williams took 
up his abode in Big Rock, Illinois, where he 
rented land and engaged in farming for 
twelve years. In 1889 he removed to Cal- 
houn county, Iowa, and leased a section oi 
land one mile north of Manson on which he 
lived for six years and then purchased the 
place. He made many excellent improve- 
ments and continued its operation until 1895, 
when he sold a half section to John Harper, 
retaining possession of the remainder until 
1900, when he disposed of it. In 1901, he 
removed to Manson and purchased the hotel 
of H. H. Marsh, but after conducting it for 
one season he sold it to Mr. Brace. He is 
now living retired from active business cares 
but he owns one hundred acres of land near 
Waverly, Iowa, and a half section in Min- 
nesota. 

Unto ]\Ir. and Mrs. Williams have been 
born three childreni; Chauncey W., who 
was born at Big Rock, Illinois, in 1878; 
Sarah Ellen, born July 15, 1883; and Mary 
Janette, born April 22, 1887. All are yet 
in school and still reside under the parental 
roof. Mr. Williams is an advocarte of Re- 
publican principles, wamily espousing the 
cause of the party. He belongs to the 
Knights of Pythias fraternity and is also 
a member of the Congregational church. 
When we examine a life history to find the 
secret of success, we usually learn that pros- 
perity has been gained through persistent 
efifort, close application and fitness for the 
■work underltaken. It is so in the case of 
Mr. Williams, who without any especial pe- 
cuniary advantages in his youth has attained 



to a creditable position among the substan- 
tial men of his adopted county. Honesty 
and integrity have e\'er characterized his 
business transactions; fidelity to duty has 
marked his citizenship and a conscientious 
understanding of all obligations has been 
manifested in his private life and in his re- 
lations with family and friends. 



JOHN McCONEKY. 

John McConeky is well known as a far- 
mer and stock-raiser of Lincoln township, 
his thorough understanding of his business, 
his laudable ambition and his industry en- 
abling him to carry forward his work in a 
manner resulting in the acquirement of a 
conifortable competence. He was born in 
De Kalb county, Illinois, May 15. 1855, and 
is a son of Aleck and Kate (McDonald) 
McConeky, both of whom were natives of 
Ireland. Emigrating to the new world the 
father became identified with agricultural 
pursuits in Illinois but died in middle life, 
being killed in a tornado when the subject 
of this review was only about five years of 
age. The widow afterward became the wife 
of John Gibbons, also a native of Ireland, 
and her death occurred March 16, 1890. 
Mr. McConeky of this review has one sister, 
Mrs. Mary Briggs, of Manison, Iowa, and 
has two half-sisters and three half-l)rothers, 
born of his mother's second marriage. 
These are Frank, Phillip and Willis Gib- 
bons, Mrs. Frank Harrington, and Mrs. 
James H. Polan. 

The common sch<x>ls of De Kalb county 
afforded to John McConeky his educational 
privileges, his attention being given to the 
duties of the schoolroom through the winter 
seasons when his aid was not needed in the 



336 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



fields upon the home farm. He put aside 
his text-books at tlie age of seventeen and 
after thait gave his entire attention to the 
work of plowing, planting and har\esting. 
Subsequently he rented land and began 
farming on his own account. Like most 
young men who start out in life for them- 
selves, he sought a companion and helpmate, 
and in Illinois was married, on the 31st of 
Januar\', 1889, to Miss Mary Marrin, who 
was born in De Kalb county, on the 17th 
of December, 1867, her parents being Domi- 
nick and Bridget (Keleher) Marrin, both of 
whom were natives of Ireland, but their 
marriage was celebrated in Clinton, Iowa. 
Subsequently they became residents of Illi- 
nois and are still residing upon a farm in 
that state. Their children were Mrs. Mc- 
Coneky; Ellen, the wife of Mike O'Donald, 
of Illinois; Mrs. Dan McCormick, of De 
Kalb county; Mrs. Will JlcCormick, of the 
same county; Alice, Catherine and Eliza, 
all at home. Unto Mr. and Mrs. McConeky 
have been born three children; Ellen, born 
December 8, 1891 ; Florence, born May 2, 
1896; and Evelvn M., bom September 17, 
1897. 

Soon after his marriage Mr. McConeky 
came to Calhoun county, having previously 
purchased three himdred and twenty acres of 
land in Lincoln township. Upon this farm 
he has since made his home. Most of the 
land had teen broken when he took up his 
abode there; but poor impro\ements had 
been made and with determined purpose and 
resolute will he set to work to transform his 
fami into a desirable property. He erected 
a commodious residence in 1900, it being 
one of the tasteful and attractive homes 
of the township. In July, 1901, he built a 
large barn and has other necessary outlniild- 
ings for the shelter of grain and stock. 
He raises graded stock, ha\ing some fine 



animals upon his place. In this branch of 
business he is \-ery successful for he thor- 
oughly understands the best methods of car- 
ing for the cattle, hogs and. sheep. He 
gives the closest attention to Tiis business 
and his unfaltering determination has 
formed the foundation of his now desirable 
prosperity. In politics he is a Democrat 
and in religious faith is a Catholic. His 
worth in all life's relations is widely recog- 
nized and his business career is one well 
worthy of emulation, for it pro\'es what can 
be accomplished by energy and unflagging; 
persevenance. 



THOMAS P. GRIFFIN. 

There is much in the history- of ]\Ir. 
Griffin to form an interesting life record. 
Upon the battlefields of the south he under- 
went all the experiences of war, marching to 
the drum beat, obeying the call of the com- 
mander and charging upon the enemy 
in defense of the Union cause. He 
has been a most active factor in the upbuild- 
ing of Somers, and the village in large meas- 
ure is indebted to him for his efforts in its- 
behalf. He has recently completed the fin- 
est business block in the city and therein is 
conducting the Arlington Hotel, the public 
knowing him as a popular host, giving every 
attention possible to the comfort of his 
guests. 

Air. Griffin was born in New Comers- 
town, Ohio., October 2, 1845, ^"^ 's a son of 
Thomas Wesley and Mary (Wilson) Griffin, 
the fomier a native of Baltimore, Maryland, 
and the latter of \\'ashingto:i county, 
Pennsylvania. The paternal grandfather, 
William Griffin, was a resident of Baltimore 
and became one of the successful business- 



1 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



337 



men of tliat city, where he spent many years, 
passing away at the very advanced age of 
ninety. The maitemal grandfather of our 
subject was David Wilson, one of the lieroes 
of tlie Revohition, who, with brave heart, 
responded to the call for colonial troops and 
fought for American libert)-. He was long 
a resident of Pennsylvania, but his dealth 
occurred near W^ashington, Iowa, when he 
had attained an advanced age. 

Tiiomas W. Griffin, the father of our 
subject, spent the greater part of his life 
in Ohio. He sened a regular apprenticeship 
to the painter's trade, becoming an expert 
workman in that line and followed his chosen 
vocation for many years. He was very in- 
dustrious and his capability and enterprise 
won for him a very connfortable living. He 
died in Washington county, Ohio, at the age 
of eighty-three, having long survived his 
wife, who died at the age of forty-five years. 
They were the parents of five children, of 
whom four are yet living, ^\'ilson, who re- 
sides in Washington county. Ohio ; Charles 
A., a resident of the same locality ; Mrs. El- 
vira Barnhart, who is living near Marietta, 
Ohio; and Thomas P. ]\Irs. Elizabeth Scott 
is the one who has passed away. 

Thomas P. Griffin is a well-known resi- 
dent of Calhoun county and his business af- 
fairs have been of such a character that they 
have contributed not alone to his individual 
success, but have also promoted the general 
prosperity. He was reared to manhood iii 
Monroe coui^y, Ohio, and in the district 
schools ol>tained his education. \\'hen the 
spirit of war was abroad in the land and 
men from every avenue of life flocked to 
the standard of the Union, he. too, offered 
his services to the government, although only 
sixteen years of age, and became a mcml)cr 
of the Fourth West Virginia Cavalry, which 
was assigned to duty in the army of the 



Potomac under Generals Avernell, Mulligan 
and Kelly. It was on the 22d of July, 1862, 
that Mr. Griffin joined the army and while 
at the front he saw some very hard service, 
participating in the battles of Winchester, 
Spottsylvania, Morfield and Harper's Ferry. 
He was under fire almost every day for six 
months, fighting bushwhackers and gueril- 
las, and had some~narro\Y escapes. He was 
also in the hospital for some time, and on 
the 14th of February, 1864, received an hon- 
orable discharge, for his health was so great- 
ly impaired that he was no longer fit for 
duty. 

Returning to Ohio Mr. Grifiin followed 
various pursuits after regaining his health, 
and then learned the carpenter's trade to 
which he served a regular apprenticeship. 
He has since followed contracting and build- 
ing and has also engaged in agricultural pur- 
suits. His residence in Iowa dates from 
1880. For a time he made his home in Han- 
cock county, this state, dealing in real estate, 
and while there was largely instrumental 
in the upbuilding of the village of Corinth. 
On leaving that locality he went to Des 
}kIoines, where for four years he was en- 
gaged in contracting and Ijuilding. Subse- 
quently he became the owner of a farm in 
Guthrie county, Iowa, where he remained 
for three years, and on the expiration of that 
period removed to Boone. Iowa. Near the 
city he purchased a farm of one hundred and 
sixty acres and continued its cultivation until 
1898. Removing to Calhoim county he took 
up his a1x>de in Somers and his labors have 
since been of material benefit to the village 
along lines of substantial progress and im- 
provement. He has here erected a large 
three-story brick building, at a cost of fif- 
teen thousand dollars, it being one of the 
best business blocks in this section of the 
countv. The first floor is divided into two 



338 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



good storerooms each twenty-two by sixty 
feet. The hotel rooms are largely situated 
on the second floor and the third floor is a 
hall twenty-four by sixty feet. To his hos- 
telry Mr. Griffin has given the name of the 
Arlington Hotel, and he conducts a most ex- 
cellent house which deserves commendation 
in every department. It is tastefully fur- 
nished and the owner puts forth every effort 
to advance the comfort of his guests, being 
a most popular and highly esteemed host. 
He built a livery barn in Somers but has 
since sold it. He has also erected two dwell- 
ings here and his business affairs have ever 
been of marked benefit to the town. 

Mr. Griffin has been twice married. In 
x866 he was joined in wedlock tO' Miss Ma- 
tilda Cline. who died in 1867 and in 1868 
he was again married, his second union be- 
ing with Louisa John, who was born in Mon- 
roe county, Ohio, and by whom he has eight 
children: George W., Ed. H., Lawrence 
R., Thomas R., Adda J., Ella, Laura and 
Grace. Mr. Griffin exercises his right of 
franchise in support of the men and meas- 
ures of the Republican party and is well in- 
formed on all the issues of the day. He has 
ser\-ed as justice of the peace and in other 
local offices and while residing in Hancock 
county, filled the position of postmaster. He 
holds membership in J. G. IMiller Post, No. 
67, G. A. R., at Boonesboro, and is con- 
nected with the Modern Woodmen of Amer- 
ica and the Woodmen of the World. It is 
not difficult to determine what manner of 
man is Mr. Grifiin for this has been shadow- 
ed forth between the lines of his life his- 
tory. It is certain that courage is one de- 
ment of his nature, for when his country was 
in peril he bravely met all the hardships 
and rigors of war in order to protect the 
L'nion. He is enterprising and energetic, 
for without capital he entered upon his busi- 



ness career depending entirely upon his own 
resources for what he has accomplished. He 
is also reliable and trustworthy, for he com- 
maijds uniform respect. All these qualities 
combine to make him a citizen of value and 
worth and Somers has reason to be glad 
that he has identified his interests with hers. 



E. F. RICHEY. 



The prosperity of any community, town 
of city depends upon its commercial activity', 
its industrial interests and its trade relations 
and therefore the real upbuilders of a town 
are those who stand at the head of the lead- 
ing enterprises. Mr. Richey is engaged in 
general merchandising in Somers and is also 
postmaster of that place. He was born in 
Webster county, Iowa, August 28, 1856, and 
is the son of Jasper T. and Hattie (Lyons) 
Richey, the former a native of Ohio and 
the latter of Sweden. The father was a far- 
mer by occupation and emigrating westward, 
took up his abode in Webster county, Iowa, 
in 1849. He died at the early age of thirty- 
three years. 

In the schools of \\'ebster county ^Ir. 
Richey <:>f this review acquired his education 
and at the age of sixteen he came to Cal- 
houn county. Entering upon his business 
career he was employed as a clerk and his 
first independent venture was in the line of 
a restaurant at Lohrville. Subsequently he 
became a traveling salesman antl was upon 
the road for about five years. In 1899 he 
came to Somers, where he again embarked 
in business im his own accoimt, opening a 
general store which he has since conducted. 
He carries the largest stock in this jjlace and 
has a nice line of goods from which to se- 
lect. His business methods are honorable 
and straightforward, and his earnest desire 



I 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



339 



to please, coupled with thrift and energ}-, 
has secured to him a very Hberal and grati- 
f>-ing patronage. He is to-day the oldest 
business man in Somers, having established 
the first store here on the organization of 
the town. 

In 1887 occurred the marriage of Mr. 
Richey to Miss Anna McClure, a daughter 
of James McClure, of Lohr\ille, and they 
liave two children: Floyd J. and Edwin F. 
Mr. Richey holds membership with the In- 
dependent Order of Odd Fellows and with 
the Mcxlern Woodman Camp at Lohrville. 
In his political affiliations he is a stanch 
Republican and is serving as the present 
postmaster at Somers, having been appointed 
to the position in 1899. In his religious 
faith he is a Alethodist and his life has ever 
been in consistent harmony with his profes- 
sions. In the field of political life and com- 
mercial activity, he has won distinction, and 
to-day is numbered among the leading, in- 
fluential and honored citizens of Somers. 
A young man, he possesses the enterprising 
spirit of the west which has been the domi- 
nent factor in producing the wonderful de- 
velopment of this section of the country. 
Brooking no obstacles that honest effort can 
overcome, he has steadily worked his way 
upward until, having long since left the 
ranks of the many, he to-day stands among 
the successful few. 



JOHX F. DALTO.Y. 

The value of the local newspapers in the 
uplniilding of the best interests of any conv 
nnniity is universally conceded. The rule is 
that good papers are found in good towns, 
inferior journals in towns of stunted growth 
and uncertain future. It is not so much a 



matter of size as of excellence and of adapt- 
ability to the needs of the locality. These 
conditions given, in any appreciative and 
progressive community, the size of the paper 
will take care of itself in a way naturally 
satisfactory to publishers and patrons. Mr. 
Dalton is a prominent factor in the journal- 
istic interests of western Iowa and the fact 
that the Manson Democrat, a Democratic 
paper, has the largest circulation of any jour- 
nal in the Republican cmmty of Calhoun is 
an indication of the superiority of the sheet 
and the ability of the editor as a representa- 
ti\e of the "art preservative of arts." 

John Franklin Dalton is widely known 
as a most progressive and enterprising citi- 
zen and successful Inisiness man. He was 
born in Randall township, Kenosha county, 
Wisconsin, October 22, 1870, and is the only 
living son of John Loftus and Margare* 
(Boyle) Dalton, who in childhood became 
residents of Kenosha county and there re- 
mained until May, 1875, when they removed 
to Calhoun county, Iowa, settling on a farm 
near Pomeroy, where they still reside. The 
father was born near Ballyhaunus, in Coun- 
ty Alayo, Ireland, May 10, 1841, and when 
twelve years of age came witli his parents 
to America, the family settling in Kenosha 
coimty, Wisconsin, on a farm on the south 
shore of Silver Lake, where his mother is 
now living, at the age of eighty-two years. 
At the time of the Civil war John Loftus 
Dalton joined the Union forces and served 
on the gunboat Ouichita in the river service. 
He married Alargaret Boyle, who was born 
in Racine, Wisconsin, April 19, 1847. ^^ 
parents were natives of Coimty Roscommon, 
Ireland, and were married soon after their 
arrival in this country, Mrs. Dalton being 
their eldest child. Unto the parents of our 
subject were born iuur children! : Joseph, 
who died in infancv: Alice ^^■innifred, the 



340 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



wife of Thomas O'Boyle, of Clare, Iowa; 
and Florence Teresa, the wife of Edward 
J. Masterson, of Manson, Iowa. 

John F. Dalto-n, the youngest of the fam- 
ily, remained upon the home farm with his 
father until nearly twenty-two years of age. 
For four years he engaged in teaching school 
throiTgh the winter months before leaving 
the fami to enter the newspaper business at 
Manson, where he became a half owner in 
the Democrat, in July, 1892. He was editor 
and manager of the paper until December 
I, 1892, when he purchased the interest of 
■his partner, T. B. Lemoin, and assumed 
■entire control of the business. Since that 
time Mr. Dalton has conducted his paper and 
printing establishment alone and that it has 
been a success is evidenced by the fact that 
the paper has made money and friends in 
the face of all obstacles. It has the largest 
circulatioiU of any journal published in Cal- 
houn county. The office is one of the best 
equipped country offices in Iowa and the 
fame of the excellent wx>rk here done has 
spread throughout the northwestern part 
of the state and e\-en into Minnesota aud 
the Dakotas. In addition to his publishing 
and printing business Mr. Dalton makes a 
specialty of art calendars and other printed 
advertising novelties and his business in this 
direction has tecome quite e.xtensive. His 
newspaper is patronized by all classes and 
creeds on accoun't of its fairness and fearless- 
ness. It is one of the solid business insti- 
tutions of Manson and one in which the cit- 
izens of Manson take considerable pride. 

T^Ir. Dalton was married October 12, 
1892, to Miss Lillian Ellen Ford, a daughter 
of Walter and Mary Ford, of Lizard town- 
ship. Pocahontas county. lov.a. Her par- 
ents were natives of County Galway, Ire- 
land, and her father was one of the first set- 
tlers of Lizard township. IMr. and Mrs. 



Dalton now have three daughters and a son : 
John Ford, Mar>' Florence, Lillian Margaret 
and Alice Rosalia, aged respectively nine, 
seven, five and three years. Mrs. Dalton is a 
channing woman, accomplished and well 
educated and has a large circle of friends 
in the best society of the community. The 
family are all manbers of the Roman Catho- 
lic church. Although Mr. Dalton has been 
prominent in the Democratic politics of the 
county ever since his entr\- into the news- 
paper field, he has no political aspirations, 
his ambition being t(*v publish a good news- 
paper, make money and friends and provide 
a good home and thorough education for his 
familv. 



CARL CARLSON. 



The prosperity and advancement of Iowa 
is based upon its great agricultural interests. 
It is one of the leading farming states of 
the Lhiion and its products are sent into all 
parts of the L'nited States. A worthy rep- 
resentative of the agricultural interests of 
Calhoun county is Carl Carlson, who resides 
on section 23, Elm Grove township, where 
he is successfully engaged in general farm- 
ing and stock raising, owning over two hun- 
dred and forty acres of land. 

As his name indicates, Mr. Carlson is of 
Swedisli l)irth and first opened his eyes to 
the light of day in 1853. He acquired a 
good education in his native tongue, but is 
self-educated in the English language. He 
was married in Sweden in the fall of 1880 
to Miss Kate Olson, also a native of that 
land, and together they started for the new 
world, the voyage across the Atlantic being 
their wedding journey. They landed safely 
at Castle Gartlen and afterward spent two 





CARL CARLSON. 



4 



Sr <^ 



*&• ■",^^J 




MRS. CARL CARLSON. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



343 



years in the Empire state, but believing that 
still better business opportunities might be 
gained in the west, where competition was 
not so great, they arrived in Iowa in 1882. 
Here Mr. Carlson purchased eighty acres 
■of raw prairie land and in a little cabin home 
resided for three years. Later he purchased 
another tract of eighty acres, and has added 
to his farm until within its boundaries two 
hunilred and forty acres are found, a greater 
part being under a high state of cultivation 
and yielding to the owner a rich tribute for 
his care and attention. He has long since re- 
placed his primitive home by a good sub- 
stantial residence, has also built large barns 
and granaries and put up cribs and a wind- 
mill. He has bought a corn-sheller and feed- 
grinder, and the latest improved machinery 
is found upon his place, thereby facilitating 
the work of the farm. He has planted fruit 
and shade trees and is engaged in the rais- 
ing of a high grade of stock, making a spe- 
cialty of Poland China hogs. Mr. and Mrs. 
Carlson had very little capital when they 
arrived in the new world, but their united 
efforts have led to the accumulation of a 
comfortable competence. 

Unto this worthy couple have been born 
five children : Oscar, who assists in carry- 
ing on the home farm ; Mary, Julia, Arthur 
and Samuel, all of whom are yet under the 
parental roof. In his political views Mr. 
Carlson is a Republican, giving firm support 
to that party, from the principles of which 
he belie\es good government results. Both 
he and his wife were reared in the Lutheran 
faith, and are consistent members of that 
■church. His residence in the county covers 
a period of twenty years, in which he has 
seen many changes. Towns and villages 
bave sprung up and all of the business indus- 
tries and commercial piirsuits known to the 



oldr est have been introduced. The wild 
land has been made to bloom: and blossom 
as a rose, and progress has been carried on 
at a rapid rate until Calhoun countv now 
takes its place with the leading counties of 
this great commonwealth. Mr. and JNIrs. 
Carlson are well known in their part of the 
county, and he is held in high regard as a 
man of integrity and sterling worth, while 
his estimable wife also shares in the high 
esteem accorded him. 



JAMES VAN HORXE. 

James Van Home was born in Monroe 
county. New York, in the town of Mendon, 
October 6, 1837, and is descended from an- 
cestry long connected with the American 
colonies. The first authentic record which 
we have of the family is found in the his- 
tory of New York, stating that Jaques Van 
Home and Albert K. Burg formed the com- 
mittee of the board of trade on resolutions 
to colonize the X'etherlands and sent a re- 
port to the West India Company of Amster- 
dam, Holland. This document was dated 
June 26, 1634. The branch of the family to 
which our subject belongs can trace the line 
Ijack to Cornelius Van Home, who was 
known by the title of Captain. He settled 
in Monmouth county. New Jersey, and mar- 
ried an English lady, Catherine Co.x, who 
died after one year, leaving a son Thomas. 
He next married Elizaljeth Lawrence 
and they had three children, namely: 
Mathias, Catherine and Elizaljeth. He 
afterward married Anna Seabrook and they 
had six children. At ' a later date he re- 
moved with his family to Hunterdon coun- 
ty, New Jersey, where he died Februarys 12, 



344 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1744, at the age of forty-nine years. The 
first son of Captain Cornelius Van Home 
was Thomas, who was born in 1742, who 
became the father of eight cliildren, his eld- 
est son being instrumental in organizing a 
company for service in the Revolutionary 
war, in which he became lieutenant. The 
representatives of the family were at all 
times prominent in the work of improvement 
and development in their respective local- 
ities. 

The parents of our subject were Mathias 
and Abigail (Wattles) Van Home, both of 
whom were natives of Xew York. Tlie 
father was a farmer by occupation and after 
residing for manv years in the Empire state 
lie removed to Oakland county, Michigan, 
where he resided for about five years. Dur- 
ing that time the mother died in 1846. after 
which the father with his children returned 
to the Empire state, settling in Otsego coun- 
ty, where he remained until his death, which 
occurred in 1863. He had five children, of 
whom three are still living, the sisters of our 
subject being Mrs. Sarah Stevenson, a resi- 
dent of Lincoln township, Calhoun county, 
and Mrs. Anna Alaria Hopkins, a widow 
who is living in Michigan. One son of the 
family was killed in the Civil war. 

During his early childhood James Van 
Home accompanied his parents to Michi- 
gan and then returned with his father to 
New York. He pursued his education in 
the district schools but his opportunities in 
that direction were somewhat limited. He 
worked on the farm through the summer 
months and early became familiar with all 
the labors that fall to the lot of the agricul- 
turists. At the age of twenty-one he left 
the Empire state for Illinois, locating in 
Knox county. There he was connected with 
farming for eight years and on the expira- 



tion of that period came to Calhoun county^ 
Iowa, in the year 1866. In the party with 
which he made the trip were Messrs. Starr,. 
Brooks and Hakes. Mr. \'an Home settled 
on the prairie, on the place where he now 
lives, securing a homestead claim of eighty 
acres. He assisted in the organization of 
Lincoln township and has ever been prom- 
inent in the work of upbuilding and devel- 
opment in this portion of the county. In 
order to build a home he hauled lumber from; 
Boone and paid for it the high price of fifty 
dollars per thousand feet. 

Several years after arriving in Calhoun 
cmmty. Mr. \'an Horne was united in mar- 
riage, in November, 1870, to Miss Mary 
Jack, who was born in Pennsylvania, April 
17, 1853, the daughtej- of Leslie and Barbara 
(Negley) Jack, both of whom were natives- 
of Pennsylvania. Her father was a black- 
smith and farmer, and in 1853 came to Iowa 
settling in Scott county, but after a year he 
retraced his steps as far as Illinois and in- 
that state purchased land and made his home 
there until the death of his wife in i860. In 
that year he again took up his abode in 
Scott county, Iowa, and in 1866 he came to- 
Calhoun county, securing a homestead claim 
in Lincoln township. Mrs. \'an Home's, 
father taught singing school in this locality. 
He was a charter member of the first Meth- 
odist church in the north part of Calhoun 
county. He died in 1881, at the residence of 
Mrs. \\\ S. Smith, of Rockwell City. Mrs. 
\*an Horne was one of a family of seven 
children, only four of whom are living,, 
namely : Alexander, who married ^Margaret 
Long and is living in Fort Worth, Texas;. 
Mrs. William Condran. of RfKkwell City;. 
Mrs. Margaret Stonebroker, also a resident 
of Rockwell City; and Mrs. Van Horne. 
The marriage of our subject and his wife 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



34S 



has been blessed witli six children. Clar- 
ence, the eldest, married Florence Seaver, by 
whom he has three children, DeWitt, Pearl 
and Mary. He is a minister of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal church, now preaching for a 
congregation of his denomination in San- 
born, Iowa. Ada is the wife of Jesse 
Smith, of Parker, Pennsylvania, and they 
have three children. Verna, W'eldon and 
Jewell. Robert occupies the chair of math- 
ematics at Morning Side College, in, Siou.x 
City, Iowa. Sadie is a student of that insti- 
tution. Don is at home with his parents. 
Zelleh died in infancy. 

Smce coming to Calhoun county Mr. 
Van Home has remained uixan the farm 
which is now his home, on section 22, Lin- 
coln township. He has placed it under a 
high state of cultivation and the well tilled 
fields yield to him a golden harvest in return 
for his labor. In his farming methods he is 
practical and progressive, and the neat and 
thrifty appearance of his place indicates his 
careful supervision. In his political views 
he is a stalwart Republican and he holds 
membership in the Congregational church of 
Manson. His life has ever been honorable 
and upright, for he has lived in consistent 
haruKiny with Christian principles. Great 
changes have occurred in Calhoun county 
since his arrival, for he located here when 
this district was upon the wild frontier of 
the west. ]\Iiles away stretched the un- 
broken prairie covered with its native 
grasses. Few were the settlements that had 
been made and the work of progress and 
imi)n)vement seemed scarcelv begun where 
now stands flourishing towns and villages. 
There were perhaps few. if any. houses but 
with the advent of tlie railroad has come all 
of the indications of an advanced civiliza- 
tion and Calhoun takes rank with the leading 
counties of this great state. Mr. Van Home 



has ever borne his part in the work of im- 
provement and well does he deserve men- 
tion among the honored pioneers. 



F. P. HUFF. 



F. P. Huff is well known in financial cir- 
cles in Calhoun county and is the cashier of 
the First National Bank at Rockwell City. 
The success of this institution is due in no 
small degree to his efforts, for he is a mart 
of keen discernmeut and of strong purpose, 
and has ever followed conservative meth- 
ods. His work therefore has commended 
him to the confidence of his fellow men and 
his labors have brought to the bank an un- 
assailable reputation and liberal patronage 
which has contributed largely to its prosper- 
ity. 

]Mr. Huff' was born in Buchanan county,. 
Iowa. June 21, 1867, his parents being E. 
C. and Lucinda (Pierce) Huff'. His father 
was a nati\-e of Bedford county, Pennsyl- 
vania, while the mother was born in Dela- 
ware county. Ohio. Leaving the Keystone 
state E. C. Huff took up his alx)de in Ohio,^ 
where he wedded Miss PieiTe and subse- 
quently he removed witli his family ta 
Iowa, settling in Buchanan county, where 
he followed his trade of wagon-making un- 
til his business career \vas crowned with a 
well merited rest. In March, 1883, the fam- 
ily arrived in Rockwell City, where the fath- 
er died January 4, 1902, at the age of seven- 
ty vears, his wife having died here in 1890 at 
the age of fifty-three. This worthy couple 
became the jiarents of eight children, of 
whom two died in early childhood. The 
family record is as follows: Esther mar- 
ried H. C. Unbehaun, of Winthrop. Iowa; 
Jennie became the wife of J. C. Kershner, of 



346 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Iiidq)endeiice, Iowa; Emma B. is the wife 
of A. L. Riseley, sheriff of Calhoun county 
and a resident of Rockwell City; John died 
at the age of twenty-eight years ; F. P. is the 
next }'Ounger; and Charles A. is a merchant 
of Rockwell City. 

In his native county F. P. Huff was 
reared until sixteen years of age. when he 
accompanied his parents on their removal 
to Rockwell City and in the common schools 
he pursued his education, attending both 
before and after the removal. However, he 
did not continue his studies in this place ex- 
cept for about three months, for during the 
first year of his residence in Calhoun county 
Tie worked upon a fann. In Februan,-, 

1884. he secured a clerical position in the 
office of the county treasurer, and county 
auditor, where he was employed until July, 

1885. He afterward entered the employ 
of the Farmers Bank in the capacity of cash- 
ier, and during the last few years of his con- 
nection with this institution he had entire 
■charge of the business for his anployer, Mr. 
Lewis, was in failing health and left the du- 
ties of the bank entirely to Mr. Huff. The 
Farmers Bank was in operation for only one 
j^ear before Mr. Huff became associated with 
It. In May, 1899, Mr. Lewis sold his in- 
terest in the First National Bank of Rock- 
Avell City, which was incorporated in March 
previous with E. A. Richards, of Manson, 
Iowa, as president ; J. C. Kerr, as vice-presi- 
dent; and Charles D. Case, as assistant 
■cashier. At a meeting of the board of di- 
rectors of the First National Bank on May 
I, 1899. the following officers were elected: 
E. A. Richards, president; J. C. Kerr, vice- 
president ; F. P. Huff, second vice-president ; 
and Charles D. Case, cashier. Mr. Huff 
closed up the business of the old bank and en- 
tered' upon his duties in relation to the new. 
On the 1st of November, 1899, he became 



its cashier, and the present officers were then 
elected: E. A. Richards, president; J. C. 
Kerr, vice-president; F. P. Huff, casliier; 
J. F. Hutchinson, assistant cashier. Our 
subject is a man of resourceful business abil- 
ity, whose efforts have not been confined 
alone to one line. He is treasurer of the 
Rockwell City Electric Light & Power Com- 
pany, and is a gentleman of keen discrimina- 
tion and sound business judgment, who 
forms his plans readily and is determined 
in their execution. 

In 1888 INIr. Huff was united in marriage 
to Miss Clara E. Gregg, of Rockwell City, 
and unto them have been born five children, 
namely: Grace, Harn,-, Irene, Clara and 
Frank. Mr. Huff belongs to the Masonic 
fraternity, his membership being in Twin 
Lakes Lodge, No. 478, F. & A. 3^1. , in which 
he is junior warden. For the past ten years 
he has been school treasurer of Rockwell 
City and for about five years was city treas- 
urer. He is also treasurer of the Business 
Men's Association, and, as many interests 
are thus inltrusted to him, it is a mark of the 
confidence reposed in him by tlie public. He 
exercises his right of franchise in support 
of the men and measures of the Repuljlican 
party and is a member of the IMethodist 
Episcopal church, in which he is serving on 
the Ijoard of stewards. Viewed in a personal 
light, he is a strong man. His actions have 
been honorable, his purpose sincere, his con- 
duct manly and in the county of his adoption 
he occupies a high position in public esteem. 



JOHN CAVANAUGH. 

With the history of Calhoun county, 
John Cavanaugh is familiar. He came to this 
locality when it was a frontier region, when 
much of the land was still in possession of 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



347 



tlie government and the track of the shin- 
ing plow waSi not seen on many sections. 
Deer and lesser wild game was to be had in 
abundance. The homes of the settlers were 
widely scattered and one could drive for 
miles over the country with no fence to bar 
the progress. Mr. Cavanaugh, in the work 
which has wrought such a great change over 
the county, has borne an active and impor- 
tant part and well does he deserve honor- 
able mention in its annals. He was born 
in Ireland, in 1847, and is a son of Thomas 
and Mary (Waugh) Ca\'anaugh. The fa- 
ther was a farmer b\- occupation, and in 
early manhood came to America, locating 
first in Cainada, whence he afterward re- 
moved to McHenry county, Illinois. The 
journe}' was made by team and he became an 
early settler of that locality. Not long was 
he permitted to enjoy his new home, for 
death came to him soon. His widow, how- 
ever, survives and is now living with our 
subject. 

In Illinois John Cavanaugh was reared 
to manhood and in the year of 1866 he came 
to Iowa, locating first in Jefferson, Greene 
county. In 1874 he took up his abode on a 
fann, where he now resides and which he 
had purchased in 1866. The country was 
wild and the nearest market was Jefferson, 
twenty miles distant. No roads had been laid 
and it was only at rare intervals that the 
home of the pioneer was seen. Wild geese, 
ducks, cranes, deer and an occasional elk 
were seen, and venison and wild fowls fur- 
nished many a meal for the early settlers. 
Mr. Cavanaugh at once set to work to im- 
prove the primitive condition of the land and 
transform his farm into productive fields, 
which would yield him good harvests. He 
first purchased one hundred and twenty acres 
and as his financial resources have increased 



he extended the Ixsrders of his farm until it 
now comprises five hundred and forty acres. 
In addition to this he owns other lands. All 
of the improvements have been made by him 
and the substantial buildings there seen 
stand as monuments of his enterprise and 
industry. He carries on general farming, 
also keeps one hundred head of cattle. He 
prefers the short-horns. In recent years he 
has .sold some of his land, but still oper- 
ates a portion of it. 

On the 20th of April, 1884, occurred 
the marriage of Mr. Cavanaugh and Mary 
(Gafifney) MeGowan, who was born in Jack- 
son county, Iowa, October 11, 1856, the 
daughter of Patrick and Maria (Hatton) 
Gaffney. Her parents were b<_irn in Ire- 
land, and the father was a farmer by oc- 
cupation. After emigrating to America he 
became identified with the agricultural in- 
terests in Jackson county, Iowa. Subse- 
quently he removed to Greene county and in 
Lohrville spent his remaining days, his 
death occurring when he was about eighty- 
four years of age. His wife passed away 
in Jackson county in i86g, at the age of 
forty-two years. Mrs. Cavanaugh was first 
married to James McGowan, and by that 
marriage had two children, Roger and Anna. 
By her present marriage she has ten chil- 
dren, namely : Thomas and John, twins ;. 
Mary, Elizabeth, Aggie, William, Harry, 
Helen, Mark and Mildred. 

Mr. Cavanaugh has been an industrious. 
and energetic man, and, realizing that suc- 
cess cannot be won easily, has labored in- 
defatigably to win the handsome competence 
which now crowns his efforts. He has an 
excellent farm and the fertile fields annually 
return to him rich harvests. In his polit- 
ical views he is a Democrat, and in religious 
faith is a Catholic. His life has at all times 



348 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



.been worthy of commendation, for he has 
true manly principles, has been straightfor- 
ward in all his dealings and reliable in the 
discharge of his duties of citizenship. 



HENRY J. BOLAXDER. 

One of the most highly respected and en- 
■ergetic farmers of Calhoun county is Henry 
J. Bolander, who resides in Union township. 
The qualities of an upright manhood as man- 
ifest in his career have gained for him the 
confidence and regard of all with whom he 
has been brought in contact, and he well de- 
serves mention in this volume. A native of 
Ohio, he was born December 31, 1840, his 
•parents being Henry and Susanna (Betzer) 
Bolander. The father was Ixirn in Berks 
county, Pennsylvania, in 1803, while the 
motlier's birth occurred in Ross county.Ohio, 
-in 1801. He was a wheelwright by trade 
and followed that pursuit for many years. 
In 1830 he left Ross county and removed 
to Marion county, Ohio, where he resumed 
work at his trade. He also owned land in 
that county and carried on general farming, 
making his home in Marion county until his 
death, which occurred in March, 1867, while 
his wife passed away in 1870. He was a 
hard-working man and his diligence and en- 
terprise enabled him to acquire a comfort- 
able property. He served as township clerk 
and trustee and in other minor ofifices, and 
in the discharge of his duties was ever 
prompt and faithful. In his political affilia- 
tions he was a Democrat, and in his re- 
ligious faith was a Lutheran. In his fam- 
ily were four sons and one daughter who 
reached years of maturity, and the sons are 



yet living, namely : John, a resident of 
Huntington, Indiana ; Samuel, who is living 
in Marion county; William, also a resident 
of that county ; and Henrj^ J., of this review, 
Tlie daughter, ]\Iary Ann, died at the age 
of twenty-six years. 

Henry J. Bolander spent his boyhood 
days in Marion county, Ohio, and at the 
usual age entered the pulj|lic schools, ac- 
quiring a good knowledge of the branches 
of English learning usually taught in such 
institutions. He worked in the fields or 
amid verdant meadows through the summer 
months, but when the country became in- 
volved in ci\il war he responded to the presi- 
dent's call for aid, enlisting on the 30th of 
November, •1861, as a member of Company 
D, Eighty-second Ohio Infantry. He was 
in the engagement at Bull Pasture ^fountain, 
at ^IcDowell and at Petersburg, and con- 
tinued at the front until honorably dis- 
charged for disability in 1863. 

After the close of the war 'Mv. Bolander 
made a trip to the west, but did not pur- 
chase land at that time and returned to his 
home in Ohio. After his parents died, how- 
ever, he once more crossed the Mississippi 
and this time settled in Calhoun county, 
Iowa, having some time before purchased his 
present farm in L'nion township, just east 
of the village of Lohrville, — a tract of wild 
land on which no improvements had been 
made, but soon his labors wrought a great 
change in the appearance of the place, and 
well tilled fields began to yield to him abund- 
ant harvests. The place comprises three 
hundred and twenty acres, upon which he 
has placed splendid improvements, including 
substantial buildings. Gowrie was then the 
nearest railroad market, with Manson on the 
north and Jefferson and Lake City on the 
west. Calhoun countv was vet a frontier 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



349 



district at the time of his arrival and on one 
occasion he saw eleven deer. Steadily the 
star of empire was moving westward, how- 
•ever, and in its path came all the accessories 
of the older civilization of the east. Mr. 
Bolander has kept in touch with the progress 
made along the lines of farming and to-day 
has a very valuable farm property. He has 
seventy acres planted to corn and an equal 
amount to small grain, while his meadows 
yield a large amount of hay, and green pas- 
tures make excellent feeding grounds for his 
stock through the summer months. He has 
about forty head of cattle, preferring the 
short-horns, and those which he keeps are of 
a high grade. He also raises hogs and his 
stock as well as his fields shows the care 
and attention bestowed by the enterprising 
owner. 

On the 8th of May, 1872, occurred an 
important event in the life of Mr. Bolander 
— his marriage to Miss Lydia A. Hulett, 
who was born in Morrison, Illinois, July 
2T,, 1850, a daughter of William L. and 
Laura E. (Farrington) Hulett. Mrs. 
Bolander is numbered among the pioneer 
school teachers of Calhoun county and dur- 
ing her last term in the schoolroom she took 
her little eight-months-old daughter with 
her, the scholars caring for the baby while 
the mother gave instruction in the branches 
of learning taught in those schools. Unto 
our subject and his wife have been Ixjrn 
five children: Bessie B., born January 18, 
1874; Ernest B., lx>rn March 27, 1879; Will- 
iam H., born April 28, 1881 ; Albert A., 
born October 23, 1882: and Ralph S., born 
November 23, 1884. The children have all 
received good educations and have been in 
every way fitted for the battle of life. Mr. 
and Mrs. Bolander have a very pleasant 
home in Union township and are numbered 



among the early pioneer settlers of the coun- 
ty. His has been a busy and useful career, 
and his lalxirs, supplemented by the assist- 
ance of his estinial)le wife, have brought to 
him gratifying success. He has served as 
roadmaster, assessor and in other offices in 
this toAvnship, and in his political views is a 
Republican with firm faith in the principles 
of the party. In religious faith he is a 
Baptist, and is well known in the county for 
his sterling worth. 



DAVID FLUHARTY. 

David Fluharty was born in Hardin 
county, Ohio, May 15, 1838, his parents be- 
ing Noah and Christina (Eddy) Fluharty, 
both of whom were natives of Virginia, in 
which state they were reared and married. 
The father devoted his energies to agricult- 
ural pursuits, and on leaving the Old Do- 
minion took up his abode in Hardin coun- 
ty, Ohio, where his wife died when their son 
David was but four years of age. The fa- 
ther then returned with his family to Marion 
county, Virginia, where he lived until called 
to his final rest. His political support was 
gi\en the Democracy, and he was a man of 
strong- purpose, possessing many sterling 
characteristics. In the family were four 
sons and a daughter : Melissa resides in 
^Vest Virginia. Amaria, a resident of Pike 
county, Missouri, married Miss Toothman, 
and after her death was married a second 
time. Alexander, who married Rosa Tabb, 
is now residing in Bedford, Taylor county, 
Iowa. David is the subject of this review. 
The fourth child died in infancy. 

In the public schools of his native state 
David Fluharty began his education. It 
was a typical schoolhouse, built of logs with 



350 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



slab seats, and in one end was an immense 
fireplace. At the age of seventeen he put 
aside his text-books in order to give more 
of his time and attention to farm work. He 
was also employed on the construction of the 
Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. At the age of 
nineteen he left home, going to Berwick, 
Warren county, Illinois, where he was em- 
ployed as a farm hand, feeding cattle for 
four years. He afterward became a fireman 
on the Chicago, Burlington & Ouincy Rail- 
road, serving in that capacity for a year. 

On the 22(1 of December, 1865, in Knox- 
ville, Knox county, Illinois, Mr. Fluharty 
was united in marriage to Agnes Conner, 
who was born in Ayershire, Scotland, De- 
cember 3. 1843, h^r parents being John and 
Mary (Brown) Conner, who were likewise 
natives of the land of hills and heather. The 
father was an expert engineer, and in 1858 
he brought his family tO' the new world, 
crossing the Atlantic in a sailing vessel, the 
Coraline, which encountered two verj- severe 
storms, but at length, after a voyage of 
seven A\eeks and three days, reached the 
harbor of Baltimore, Maryland. Mr. Conner 
secured a position as fireman with the George 
Creek Coal & Iron Company, and served in 
that capacity most acceptably for fourteen 
}ears. In 1866 he went to Minnesota, where 
he secured a claim of one hundred and sixty 
acres of raw land, transforming it into rich- 
ly cultivated fields. He also built houses 
there and engaged to some extent in real- 
estate dealing. His political faith was that 
of the Republican party, and in religious be- 
lief he was a Presbyterian. His death oc- 
curred in Minnesota in 1872, and his wife 
passed away in 1867. They were the par- 
ents of seven children: Mary, the wife of 
Robert Mackey, who resides at Black foot, 
Idaho; Agnes, now Mrs. Fluharty; IsaWle, 



who married Freman Eppert and resided in 
Boone county, Iowa, now deceased ; Rol> 
ert, deceased ; James B., who died at 
the age of two years; James B., who 
is married and resides in Centerville, 
Iowa; and Catherine, who died at the 
age of one year. The marriage of 
our subject and his wife has been 
blessed with six children, namely : James 
K., born October 6, 1866, married Emma 
Brandt, and resides in Manson, Iowa. They 
had three children, one of whom is now 
living, Lloyd. Mary Christina Louise, born 
December 22, 1868, is living with her par- 
ents. Robert R., born November 13, 1871, 
is an exjjert engineer, also a railroad con- 
tractor of concrete work, and lives in 
Boonesboro. Alice May was born March 
4, 1874, and passed away at the age of 
three years, in November, 1876. Albert 
Melvin, born December 11, 1878, is living at 
home with his parents and is engaged in 
teaching school. He graduated from the 
Manson high school. Jennie Edith Maude, 
born December 10, 1883, is a graduate of 
the high school, completing the course in 
May, 1902, and resides with her parents. 

In March, 1866, Mr. Fluharty became 
a resident of Iowa, settling at Fort Dodge, 
Webster county, but on April 14th of the 
same year he came to Calhoun county and 
secured a homestead claim of eighty acres. 
It was raw prairie land, which he trans- 
formed into a valuable farm. He erected 
good buildings upon it and added all mod- 
ern improvements and accessories, while the 
well tilled fields return to him a golden tril> 
tite for his care and labor. All this, hoAvever, 
was the work of years and represented much 
industry and perseverance. In the early days 
the family had to do their trading at Fort 
Dodge and Lake City and there A\ere only 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



351 



tliree houjes between tlie farm place and 
tlie present city of Fort Dodge. Mr. 
Fluharty has witnessed tlie introduction of 
railroads into this county, saw the estab- 
lishment of Manson, and has a compre- 
hensive knowledge of the early pioneer his- 
tory. James Glover opened the first store 
in the town and Seth Tliomas conducted 
the first hotel. The first church — of the 
Congregational denomination — was built 
and dedicated in 1874, and the first sermon 
was preached by Rev. King, at the home of 
Mr. Yates. The first school erected was 
the Yatesville school, for which the lumber 
was hauled from Boone, Iowa. After the 
town was incorporated Henry W'illey be- 
came the first mayor. The first election of 
Lincoln township was held in 1866, and at 
that time six congressional townships were 
comprised within Lincoln and onlv eighteen 
voters resided within the entire district. 
There was, however, a unanimity of senti- 
ment, for all were Republicans. The con- 
gressional district convention was held in 
Alanson in 1870, at which time many of the 
delegates slept in tents, and families had 
to put their chairs and tallies out of doors 
in order to make beds for the delegates upon 
the floors, llie county first became con- 
nected with the outside world by railroad in 
1869, w hen work was begun on the construc- 
tion of the Illinois Central, which was com- 
pleted in 1870. The first station agent was 
B. F. Freeburger. In 1867 there occurred 
a grasshop])er scourge and other trials and 
hardships were borne by the pioneers. Mr. 
Fluharty broke his land with o.K-teams and 
lived in frontier style until the comforts of 
the older east \vere introduced. He is a 
member of the Knights of Pvthias frater- 
nity and the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows, and his sons are identilied with the 
20 



same organization. His wife has been of 
great assistance to him in his work and no 
less credit is due the pioneer women than 
to the pioneer men who sought homes in 
the wild western districts. A busy, useful 
and honorable career has been that of David 
Fluharty, and through all the years he has 
commanded the respect and confidence of his 
fellow n^>en. 



WILLIAM ELLIS. 



William Ellis, who is engaged in general 
farming on section 8, Sherman township, 
was born in Upper Canada, October 21, 
1840, and is of Irish lineage, e.xemplifving 
. in his life many of the sterling characteristics- 
of the sons of Erin. His father, John Ellis^ 
was a native of Ireland, born in 1809. After 
arriving at years of maturity he was mar- 
ried, about 1832, to Ann Morrison, whose 
birth occurred in Ireland in 1809. Crossing 
the Atlantic to America in the year of their 
marriage, they settled upon a farm in Up- 
per Canada, and there the father made his. 
home until his death, whicn occurred in 
1877, while his wife survived him two years. 
In their family were seven children : Thom- 
as, w ho is yet Ii\-ing in Canada ; Ann Jane,, 
the wife of Samuel Curry, of that country;; 
William, of this review; John, Thompson, 
Arthur and Henry, all of whom are farm- 
ers of Canada. On the old farm homestead 
William Ellis, of this review, was born and' 
reared. He remained with his parents until' 
1865, and then abandoned the plow, secur- 
ing work in a sawmill, where he remained 
for a year. On the expiration of that period 
he returned to farm work, which he fol- 
lowed for three vcars in Canada, and in 



352 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1870 he arri\-ed in Calhoun county, where 
for three years he devoted liis energies to 
agricultural pursuits. He then sold his 
property and went to Grand Haven, Mich- 
igan, working in a warehouse for two years, 
^fter which he returned to Canada, continu- 
ing in the Dominion until 1880, when once 
more he took up his abode in Michigan, set- 
tling this time in Bay City. For a year 
he was employed on the dock there, and 
in 1 88 1 he again came to Calhoun county, 
and, with the capital he had acquired 
through his own labors, purchased the farm 
upon which he now resides. He owns 
eighty acres and in addition he rents three 
hundred and twenty acres. He is exten- 
sively engaged in the raising of cattle and 
Poland China hogs and is gradually improv- 
ing his herd of cattle by the introduction of 
the Hereford strain. 

On the 27th of August, 1866, Mr. Ellis 
was united in marriage to Elizabeth Smith, 
a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Arm- 
strong) Smith. Her father was born in 
Ireland, in 18 17, and died in North Da- 
kota, January 21, 1894, while his wife, who 
was born on the Emerald Isle in 1816, 
passed away in Calhoun county, Iowa, on 
the 28th of January, 1896. They were the 
parents of five children, of whom Mrs. Ellis 
is the eldest. She had two brothers, who 
were named John and Jay. but both are de- 
ceased. Thomas W. Smith is a resident of 
Joliet, Montana, where he is engaged in gen- 
eral merchandising. George F., the young- 
est, was killed while at work in the Klondike 
by a snow-slide. The marriage of Mr. and 
Mrs. Ellis has been blessed with twelve chil- 
dren: Thompson, who was born October 
27, 1867, and died on the 17th of November, 
1880; Annie, who was born December i, 
1870; John H., who was born January 8, 
1872, and is now a resident of Sherman 



township ; Arthur V., who was born in 1874 
and is in this county; George F., who was 
born February 15, 1876, and died Novem- 
ber 21, 1880; Jane, who was born July 6, 
1878, and died November 13, 1880; Tliomas 
W., who was born April 30, 1881, and is 
living in this county ; Emma M., who was 
born August 31, 1884, and is the wife of 
Francis Clipperton, of this county; Edith, 
who was born January 23, 1887; Morrison 
S., born January 13, 1889; Mary Agnes, 
born August 23, 1891 ; and Margaret L., 
born May 16, 1893. 

Mr. Ellis is a large-hearted, broad-mind- 
ed man, devoted to the interests of his 
fanul}^ To his children he has given a 
good education and such aid as would 
enable them to start out in life for 
themselves in a comfortable manner. In 
politics he is a Republican, and in religious 
faith is a consistent Methodist, his life be- 
ing in harmony with his professions. A 
successful farmer, he owes his prosperity not 
to influential friends, but tO' his own en- 
ergy and determination, antl his life shows 
conclusively that success may be won 
through honorable efforts. 



GEORGE G. BROWN. 

George G. Brown was born in Burling- 
ton, New York, December 29, 1870, his par- 
ents, J. M. and Sarah M. (Brown) Brown, 
being also natives of the Empire state. They 
were farming people of the highest respect- 
ability and remained in the east until 1876, 
when they made a home in Iowa, settling on 
a farm in Pocahontas county. Tlieir mar- 
riage has been blessed with four sons and 
two daughters, of whom five are yet living, 
namelv : Orville, who married Elizabeth 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



353 



Dawson, and resides near Manson; C. A., 
who married Mary Smith, and lives in Po- 
■cahontas county; Georg-e G., our subject; 
LilHe Jilay, the wife of Edward Trenary, a 
resident of Pocahontas county ; Rosa, who 
became the wife of Ernest Barger, of Cedar 
Falls, Iowa. 

In the common schools George G. Brown 
acquired his early education and his train- 
ing at farm labor was not meagre, for he 
•early began working in the fields and soon 
became familiar with all the duties and labors 
that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He 
continued with his father on the home farm 
until sixteen years of age, when he came 
to Manson and for thirteen years has been 
■connected with real-estate dealing in this 
place. He has kept thoroughly informed 
■concerning land values and has secured a 
good clientage in the line of his chosen voca- 
tion, for his business methods are honor- 
able and all know him to l>e reliable and 
trustworthy. He not only handles property 
for others, but he owns a good home and 
business property in Manson, including the 
building occupied by the firm of Holbrook 
.& Company, druggists, and by the Reynolds 
& Company hardware store. He is also 
senior partner in the cigar factory at No. 
345 Third street, and owner of the Shonenut 
bakery on the west side of Main street. 

On the ist of December, 1892, Mr. 
Brown was united in marriage in Sioux 
•City, to Emma L. Anderson, who was born 
in Fort Dodge, Iowa, in April, 1871. Her 
motlier is now deceased and her father 
makes his home with Mrs. Brown. She 
has two brothers and one sister, namely : 
Exlwin, residing at Ruthven, Iowa; John, 
also at the same place; and Christina, the 
wife of E. Johnson, of Kalo, Iowa. Mr. 
and Mrs. Brown are well known in Man- 
son and their pleasant home is ceJebrated 



for its gracious and generous hospitality. 
Mr. Brown is yet a young man, possessed 
of the enterprising spirit of the west, is en- 
ergetic and ambitious, and in his business 
career has already met with gratifying pros- 
perity, which will no doubt be increased in 
the future. 



JOHN KENNING. 

John Kenning has recently been con- 
nected with mercantile interests in Manson 
and was counted as one of the leading repre- 
sentatives of business affairs in this town. 
He was born in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, 
June 25, 1 86 1, and is the son of Charles 
Kenning'. At the usual age he began his ed- 
ucation, attending the district schools until 
eighteen years, of age, when he began work- 
ing as a farm hand by the month. In the 
fall of 1883, however, when twenty-two 
years of age, he came to Manson and here 
learned the tinner's trade. After he had 
mastered the business he entered into part- 
nership, in 1888, with J. T. Kelley, as a 
dealer in hardware and farm implements. 
This relation was maintained until 1897, 
when Mr. Kelley died. Mr. Kenning then 
assumed the management of the store and 
the implement department was sold to the 
firm of Junes Brothers and the hardware 
business was owned by our subject and Mrs. 
Kelley, the widow of his former partner, un- 
til 1900, when A. J. Hix purchased Mrs. 
Kelley's interest. The firm then became 
Kenning & Hi.x and was thus continued un- 
til 190 1, when Mr. Kenning sold his interest 
to Mr. Reynolds, aufl the business is now 
carried on under the firm style of Reynolds 
& Hix. 

On tlie 9th of .\pri1, i8(jo, in Manson, 
Mr. Kenning was united in marriage to 



354 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Miss Lizzie Herbert, who was born in 
Wayne county, Xew York, July lo, 1865. 
Her father, John Herbert, was born in Coun- 
ty Clare, Ireland, and was united in mar- 
riage to Marguerite Dunn, a native of Coun- 
ty Limerick, Ireland. They were married 
in the latter county and the same year — 
i860 — came to America in a sailing vessel, 
which ended a voj'age of six weeks by drop- 
ping anchor in the harbor of New York. 
Mr. and Mrs. Herbert then went to Roches- 
ter, New York, where they remained for 
five years, and on the expiration ofthat peri- 
od removed to Muscatine, Iowa, where they 
spent a year. Their next home was in Mor- 
ris, La Salle county, Illinois, where Mr. Her- 
bert managed a wholesale and retail coal 
business. After ten years he returned to 
Iowa, settling in Lincoln township, Calhoun 
county, where the year previous he had ptu"- 
chased two hundred and forty acres of valu- 
able land, on which he is still living. In his 
political views he is a Democrat, and in re- 
ligious faith is a Catholic. Mrs. Kenning 
is one of a family of five children: Mary, 
who is with her parents; Lizzie, the wife 
of our subject; Margaret, the wife of 
Mathew Rodney, who is engaged in the 
hardware business in Iowa Falls ; John, who 
wedded Mary Healey and is living in Lin- 
coln township near Manson; and Edward, 
w^ho is at home. The marriage of our sub- 
ject and his wife has been blessed with eight 
children, all of whom were born in Calhoun 
county: Charles J.j born January 16, 1891 ; 
Mary, born February 23, 1892; Ellen M., 
born April 21, 1893 ; John H., Ixirn June 2"^, 
1895; Edward, born July 8, 1896; Frank, 
born .August 4, 1898: Ralph, born February 
25, 1900; and John, born May 31, 1901. 

As the years have passed John Kenning 
has not only been identified with mercantile 
interests, but has also been engaged in real- 



estate dealing and has met with a high de- 
gree of success through the purchase and 
sale of lands. He to-day owns two hundred 
and forty acres in Calhoun county and a 
section of land in Sac county, and a num- 
lier of lots in Manson. together with an 
elegant modern residence, which is his home. 
He is a man of keen discernment and good 
business and executi\'e ability, forms his 
plans readily ancl is determined in their ex- 
ecution. Through his well directed aiYairs 
he has become one of the wealthy young 
men of Calhoun county. Both he and his 
wife attend the Catholic church. He is in- 
dependent in politics and has refused public 
oftice, yet he is a public-spirited citizen and 
does all in his power to advance the welfare 
and progress of the community in which he 
lives. Few men of his years have acquired 
as great success, yet his prosperity has all 
come through legitimate lines of business, 
Energv, frugality and good management 
have formed the rounds of the ladder on 
which he has climbed to prosperity, and his 
life record is a credit to his family and to- 
his citv. 



THOMAS R. FIACKETT. 

Thomas R. Hackett is one of the most 
painstaking, careful and reliable engineers in 
the service of the Chicago & Northwestern 
Railroad Company in Iowa. He makes his 
home in Lake City, where he is both widely 
and favorably known, while in his chosen 
vocation his efiiciency antl fidelity have 
gained for him the respect and confidence 
of those whom he serves. 

Mr. Hackett is a native of JefFerson 
county, Ohio, his birth having occurred near 
Steubenville, December 25, 1852, his jiarents 
being William and Clara (Marker) Hackett. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



355 



His father was born in Leicestershire, Eng- 
land, June 1 6, 1815, tlie day on which the 
battle oi Waterloo was fouglit. His wife 
Avas a native of Somerset county, Pennsyl- 
vaia. It was about 1845 that WiHiani 
Hackett crossed the Atlantic from England, 
taking up his abode in Ohio, where he re- 
mained for ten years, when he removed to 
Illinois, taking up his abode near Forreston, 
Ogle county, where he followed farming. 
He was not long permitted to enjoy his new 
home, however, for his death occurred 
Alarch 17, 1864. His wife, long surviving 
him, passed away on the 7th of February, 
1898, at the age of seventy-two years. In 
their family were si.x children: Thomas R., 
an engineer residing in Lake City; Mary, 
of Onawa, Iowa ; George, deceased : Lemuel, 
of St. Paul, Minnesota ; and Ralph and Ad- 
die, who are residents of Onawa. 

Thomas Hackett acquired his early ed- 
ucation in Richmond, Ohio, and after the re- 
moval of the family to Illinois he contin- 
ued his studies in Ogle county. He spent 
his early life on the farm, assisting in the 
work of field and meadow, and later he 
-went to Savannah, where he secured a po- 
sition as engine wiper in 1869, being in the 
employ of the Western Union Railroad Com- 
pany. In 1870 he went to Newton, Kansas, 
and until 1873 w^as a cowlx>y on the plains of 
Kansas, Texas, New Mexico and Colorado. 
While thus engaged he went through many 
■exciting experiences. Pie was in several 
skirmishes with the Indians and was five 
times shot by them. He was also engaged 
in skirmishes with white men disguised as 
Indians for the purix)se of stealing cattle 
from the ranchmen, avoiding capture on ac- 
count of their mas(|ucrading as red men. 
Mr. Hackett was in Newton, Kansas, at the 
time of the great riot when sc\-en people 



were killed in a fight between gamblers and 
cowboys, in which the latter were victori- 
ous. He visited Pueblo, Colorado, when it 
contained but one building, and went to 
Wichita when there were onlv five dwellinsfs 
in that now populous city. He has killed 
a number of bulYaloes on the ])lains, killing 
four on one river with an old Colt's re- 
volver, which he still has in his possession. 
In the fall of 1873 Mr. Hackett returned to 
Illinois and engaged in farming in Ogle 
county for two years. Later he turned his 
attention to the real estate business, which 
he carried on until 1878 — the year of his 
arri\al in Iowa. Taking up his abode in 
\\'esley, this state, he began dealing in lum- 
ber, but in 1880 entered the employ of the 
Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company 
as an engine wiper at Algona. In March, 
1882, he began firing on the northern di- 
vision and on the 8th of February, 1883, 
he was promoted to the position of engineer 
on what was known as the Toledo & North- 
western division of the Chicago & North- 
v<'estern Road. In 1897 he was assigned 
to a passenger run and now makes regular 
trips between Lake City and Sioux City. He 
has never lost a pilot in all his service. On 
one occasion he was derailed at Whittier, 
Iowa, the engine leaving the track and go- 
ing into a corn field, falling four or five feet. 
It required three hundred feet of rail to get 
it back to the track. The fireman was in- 
jured, but the engineer escaped unhurt. In 
the summer of 1901 he had another accident, 
which might have been very serious but for 
his presence of mind, which certainly averted 
injuries. When the train was coming down 
the hill at Coon river at the rate of forty 
miles per hour the engine struck two cows. 
The front trucks and back drivers left the 
track, but Mr. Hackett stopped the engine 



3S6 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



before it left the track. The following ac- 
count of this was given in the local paper of 
August 2, 1901 : "The Chicago & North- 
western Railway Company employs a class 
of locomotive engineers distinctively noted 
for their expert efficiency, presence of mind 
and well rounded manhood. When last Fri- 
day night the eastbound express was running 
on time at from forty to forty-five miles an 
hour, coming down Coon river hill, it struck 
two cows about a quarter of a mile west of 
Coon river bridge. Rounding a curve En- 
gineer Hackett saw the obstruction, adopted 
emergency tactics on the instant and came 
to a stop after running nearly a quarter of 
a mile with a pair of front truck wheels and 
a pair of his drivers running on the ties. 
The passengers as they left the cars to learn 
what was the matter were pleased beyond 
bounds when they saw the condition of the 
engine to know that they had escaped being 
piled up in a narrow cut, and perhaps killed 
outright, by the proficiency and presence of 
mind of Engineer Thomas Hackett." He is 
one of the most reliable, painstaking and 
trustworthy men on the road, and his twen- 
ty-two years' service with the Chicago & 
Northwestern Railway Company is unmis- 
takable evidence of the trust and regard re- 
posed in him by the road. 

On the 4th of February, 1874, Mr. 
Hackett was united in marriage to Miss 
Elizabeth Speenberg, a native of Carroll 
county, Illinois, and a daughter of Peter 
Speenberg, who is now living in Kansas. 
Seven children have been born unto them: 
Clara, who was born June 20, 1876. and died 
on the 20th of August. 1896; \\'illiam, who 
was born November 28, 1878. and now fol- 
lows farming near Onawa, Iowa ; Blanche, 
who was born January 7, 1881 ; Ethel, born 
December 23, 1884; Sibyl, born December 



26, 1886; Clarence, born July 5, 1888; and 
Marguerite, born Augtist i, 1893. 

Mr. Hackett is a member of Zerubbabel 
Lodge, No. 240, F. & A. M. ; Cypress Chap- 
ter, No. 99, R. A. M.; and his wife be- 
longs to Lake Queen Chapter, No. 119, O. 
E. S. In politics he has always been a 
stanch Republican since casting his first 
presidential vote for General Grant, and 
though he has never sought or desired office 
he has always kept well informed on the 
political issues of the day and is therefore 
able to maintain his position by intelligent 
argument. Faithfulness to duty has always 
been regarded as one of the most commend- 
able traits in the character of man and is well 
exemplified in the career of Mr. Hackett, 
who in everv relation of life has been found 
loyal and true to the trust reposed in him 
and to the obligations devolving upon him. 



J. J. SEBERN. 

J. J. Sebern resides in Manson, but is 
well known throughout the county and en- 
joys the high regard of a large circle of 
friends. He is engaged in the grain and 
coal business and is an enterprising mer- 
chant, carefully conducting trade transac- 
tions which are bringing to him well merited 
prosperity. His birth occurred in Marion 
county, Indiana, near Indianapolis, on the 
1st of March, 1844. His father, Harvey 
Sebern, was a native of Kentucky, as was 
the mother of our subject, who Ijore the 
maiden name of .Susan O'Neal. Their mar- 
riage occurred in Indiana, where they re- 
sided until 1865, the father following the 
occupation of farming. In that year he 
brought his family to Iowa, settling in Ben- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



357 



ton county, where he leased land, remaining 
there until 1875, when he came to Calhoun 
county. His wife died in Benton county in 
September, 1866. After his arrival in this 
portion of the state, the father of our sub- 
ject took up his abode near Lake City, where 
he purchased raw prairie land and improved 
a farm, erecting good buildings thereon. He 
did his trading at Lake City and Glidden, 
but eventually sold his farm property and 
lived retired in the home of his daughter, 
Mrs. Mary Smock, where he died in 1892. 
He voted for the Republican party, but re- 
fused to hold office. His religious faith was 
that of the Baptist church, in which he long 
lield membership. In his family were seven 
children, as follows: William L., who 
passed away in Indiana, at the age of eight- 
een years; J. J., of this review; Mary, the 
wife of Tliomas Smock, a retired farmer 
of Des Moines, Iowa ; Alice, who became 
the wife of James Hinkley, a resident of 
Carroll county, Iowa; Sarah, the deceased 
wife of William Noble, of Whittier, Cali- 
fornia, she having passed away in 1894: 
Thomas, who married Mattie McNish, of 
Carroll county, Iowa, and now resides in 
Lake City, Iowa; and Libby, the wife of 
Frank Sinclair, of Carroll City, Iowa, who 
occupies the position of deputy clerk of the 
court. 

In the district and subscription schools 
of Marion county J. J. Sebern pursued his 
education through the winter months. In 
early spring he assisted in the plowing and 
planting and later in the harvesting of the 
crops. The year 1865 witnessed the arrival 
of the family in Iowa, and he then contin- 
ued his education in a high school in Benton 
county. \\"hen he had attained his majority 
he entered upon his business career as a 
salesman in the grocery store of Louis 



Quinn, with whom he remained for one year, 
after which, in connection with his father, 
he leased si.x hundred acres of land and ex- 
tensively engaged in farming and stock-rais- 
ing on his own account. 

On the loth of October, 1867, in Thorn- 
town, Boone county. Indiana, Mr. Sebern 
wedded Miss Mary C. Hinckley, Avho was 
born in Franklin county, Indiana. August 
2. 1844, a daughter of Rufus and Janette 
(Cunningham) Hinckley, the former a na- 
tive of Massachusetts and the latter of Ohio. 
They were married, however, in Indiana, 
and became residents of that state, the father 
carrying on farming there for a number of 
years. In the spring of 1869 he came with 
his family to Iowa, settling in Benton coun- 
ty, where he purchased land, upon which he 
resided for about five years. He next re- 
moved to Carroll county, Iowa, where he 
purchased a farm that continued to be his 
home until his death, which occurred in 
1877. His political support was given the 
Republican party. His wife has also passed 
away. In the family of this worthy couple 
were seven children, namely : Mary C, the 
wife of Mr. Sebern ; James, who married 
Alice Sebern and resides in Carroll county, 
Iowa ; Sarah Jane, who died in childhood ; 
Anna, who became the wife of Arthur Xoble, 
a resident farmer of Jackson township, Cal- 
houn county: Libby, who first married Ran- 
som Satterly, and upon his death married 
R. B. Hawn and resides in Boone, Iowa; 
John, who married Hattie Stoolman and re- 
sides in Carroll county, Iowa; and Arthur, 
who married Julia Chambers, and resides in 
Chicago, where he is engaged in carpenter- 
ing and contracting. Unto Mr. and Mrs. 
Sebern have been born three children: Bert 
E., who was born Deccmlier 9, 1868, and 
married Tilly Wise, by whom he has one 



358 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



daug'nter, Marie, resides in Rockwell City 
and is acceptably filling the position of coun- 
ty treasurer. Frank J., born May i, 1871, 
died April 23, 1894, and was laid to rest in 
the cemetery at Manson. Florence A., born 
October 28, 1880, is still with her parents. 
After their marriage Mr. and ilrs. Se- 
bern began their domestic life upon the fami 
which he had leased, and there remained un- 
til 1 87 1, when they came to Calhoun coun- 
ty. Here he purchased one hundred and 
twenty acres of land in Lake Creek town- 
ship, making his home thereon for eight 
years. When that period had elapsed he be- 
came a resident of Manson, and after one 
year spent in the butchering business he be- 
gan clerking for 'SI. B. Kelly and purchased 
stock for two years. On the expiration of 
that period he begun dealing in grain and 
coal, an enterprise which has since claimed 
his time and attenion, and in which he is 
meeting with gratifying success, handling 
large quantities of both commodities annu- 
ally. He exercises his right of franchise 
in support of the men and measures of the 
Republican party, but has never been an as- 
pirant for ofiice. Fraternally he is connected 
with the Knights of Pythias, and his re- 
ligious faith is indicated by his membership 
in the Methodist Episcopal church. 



BEXTAMIX BROCK, 



Benjamin Brock is a retired farmer liv- 
ing in ilanson, and through many years he 
has not only witnessed the upbuilding and 
development of Calhoun county, but has been 
associated with its progress through his con- 
nection with agricultural and commercial in- 
terests. He was born in X^ewl)erry, Orange 



county, Vermont, ilarch 4, 1827. His fa- 
ther, ^^'illiam Brock, was also a native of 
the Green Mountain state, and when he had 
arrived at years of maturity wedded Ann 
Wallace, whose birth occurred in Orange 
county and who was a daughter of William 
\\'allace, a native of Scotland, a descendant 
of the old Wallace family. The father of 
our subject turned his attention to farming, 
clearing a tract of timber land, built a home 
and remained in Vermont until his removal 
to Lowell, Massachusetts, where he became 
connected with the hotel business. Subse- 
quently he resided in Manchester, Xew 
Hampshire, and then returned to the old 
home farm in his native state, spending his 
remaining days thereon. After the father's 
death the mother of our subject removed to 
Freeport, Illinois, and made her home with 
her daughter, Mrs. Alvira Emmett. In the 
family were the following: Wallace, who 
married Sophia Taplin, now deceased, and 
resides at Newberry, Orange county, Ver- 
mont; Flora Ann, deceased wife of Kins- 
man Robins, of New York, who has also 
passed away; Benjamin, of this review; 
Roljert, who died in infancy ; R. G., who 
married Franke Doe, and resides in Cedar 
Rapids, Iowa ; Alvira, who died in infancy ; 
Alvira, the wife of Martin Emmett, a resi- 
dent of Beloit, Kansas ; and Henry, who 
was married and resided in Nora Springs, 
Iowa, but who was killed in a railroad ac- 
cident at McAlister, in Indian Territory. 

Tiie subscription schools of his native 
town afforded to Benjamin Brock his educa- 
tional privileges. When a youth of nineteen 
he put aside his text-books and entered ujx)n 
an active business career. For a short time 
he followed farming and then removed to 
Manchester, New Hampshire, where he be- 
gan work as an apprentice in a machine 




MR. AND MRS. BENJAMIN BROCK. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD; 



361 



-shop, serving a term of three years. He 
afterward was employed as a journeyman 
machinist at three dollars per day. He and 
his brother, R. G., assisted in constructing 
the first engine made in the works at Man- 
chester. Subsequently he secured a situa- 
tion in a cotton factory, where he remained 
for two years, after which time he spent a 
similar period in a cotton print manufac- 
tory. He next worked on the railroad for 
a time, but his health failed him and his 
physician advised him to return to the old 
farm in Vermont. Two years were then 
spent on the old homestead, during which 
time his health was completely restored. 

It was on the 13th of January, 1852, — 
a most bitterly cold day, — in Manchester, 
New Hampshire, that Mr. Brock led to the 
marriage altar Miss Alma Bliss, a distant 
relative of Senator Bliss. She was born on 
the bank of the Connecticut river in Fairly, 
Vermont, April 18, 1828, a daughter of 
Phelps Bliss, whose birth occurred on the 
same farm where his daughter was born. 
Her mother bore the maiden name of Lucy 
Putnam and was also a native of Vermont. 
Mr. and Mrs. Bliss were married in that 
state, and the father carried on agricultural 
pursuits on the beautiful farm bordering the 
Connecticut river. Subsequently he re- 
moved to Wolcott, Lemoille county, where 
he engaged in farming until his emigration 
to the west. He took up his abode in Cresco, 
Iowa, in 1870, having purchased land there 
in 1866. He followed farming until his death, 
and both he and his wife passed away in that 
locality. Mr. Bliss was a most prominent, in- 
fluential and distinguished citizen. He held 
all of the township and cmmty offices and for 
many years represented his district in the 
state legislature. Mrs. Brock is a relative 
•of Senator J. P. Dolliver, who married 



the daughter of George Pearsons, of Fort 
Dodge, a cousin of Mrs. Brock. Her grand- 
father was General Putnam, one of the dis- 
tinguished officers of the Revolutionary war, 
and her mother's brother blew the bugle 
which announced the capture of Black Hawk 
in the war of 1832. That Indian chieftain 
was then taken to Washington and through 
the country that he might gain a knowledge 
of the strength of the "pale faces" and their 
modes of living. Both of the brothers of 
Mrs. Brock, Samuel P. and Carlos Bliss, 
took part in the Civil war. The latter was 
wounded in the right leg in the battle of the 
Wilderness and died from his injun,'. In the 
Bliss family were nine children, namely: 
Alma, the wife of our subject; Martha, the 
wife of M. M. Smith, a prominent farmer 
of Center township; Mary, deceased wife of 
Otis Griswold, who, after her death, married 
again and resided in Hardwick, Vermont, 
but is also now deceased; Samuel P., who 
married Thankful Griswold. and after her 
death wedded Melissa Titus, who died in 
Manson, Iowa, where he is now living; 
'Charlotte, who married Orlando Herbert 
and resides in Nebraska; Lucy, the wife of 
Nathaniel Durgin, of Cresco, Iowa; Etta, 
the wife of H. B. Stafford, who is engaged 
in the insurance and real estate business in 
Lovina, Iowa; Carlos, who gave his life in 
defense of his country in the Civil war ; and 
Francis, who died at the age of six months. 
After his marriage Benjamin Brock re- 
moved to Wolcott, Vermont, and there en- 
gaged in farming, later following the same 
pursuit at Newberry, Vermont. In the 
year 1856 he became a resident of \\'iscon- 
sin, where he remained for ten years and 
then removed to the vicinity of Marshall- 
town, Iowa. For a time he followed fanning 
and then established a restaurant in Mar- 



362 



THE BIOGILA-PHICAL RECORD. 



shalltown, where he remained for about 
three years. On coming to Calhoun coimty. 
in 1870, lie purchasied a quarter section of 
land in Lincoln township. It was a tract 
of barren prairie on which no vegetation 
was found save the native prairie grass, the 
plow had not yet made its way across the 
tract and the entire work of development and 
improvement devolved upon Mr. Brock. He 
erected a frame house, sixteen by twenty 
feet, and a story and a half in height, and 
placed a picket fence in front of it, this be- 
ing the first fence of the kind in the coiui- 
try, so that his place became known as "the 
picket fence fann." Thereon he remained 
for three years, at the end of which time 
he traded his farni for the restaurant in 
JMarshalltown, Iowa. There he conducted 
a \ ery extensive business, and one Fourth of 
July he sold one hundred and ninety gallons 
of ice cream and everything else in propor- 
tion. After two years, however, he returned 
to Calhoun county, where he purchased one 
hundred and si.xty acres of raw prairie land 
in Lincoln township, for which he paid six 
dollars and a quarter per acre. His nearest 
neighbor was three miles away. Soon he 
enclosed his farm within a fence, built a 
good house, a barn and stock sheds, making 
his home upon the place for about five years, 
but his health failing he sold his farm and 
removed to Pomeroy, where he engaged in 
carpentering and contracting for a year. Re- 
turning then to Manson, he conducted the 
Seth Thomas Hotel, which stood on the site 
of Coon"s dry gootls store. Subsequently he 
removed to the hotel owned by William 
Oark, which stood where the D. C. \\ilson 
grocery house is now located, and for two 
years conducted that hosteln.-. He was 
afterward proprietor of the old Occidental 
hotel of Fort Dodge for a year and was 



very successful in his work tliere, clearing 
twelve hundred dollars the first year, which 
was considered very gCKid profit owing to the 
size of the town and the amount of travel. 
Returning to Calhoun county, he was for 
two and one-half years associated with his 
son-in-law in the hardware business. He 
afterward purchased a piece of land in the 
town of Manson, which he sold at a larg^ 
profit. He is now living retired at the home 
of his daughter, Mrs. John H. Harrison. In 
politics he is a stanch Republican, and has 
been a supporter of the party since its or- 
ganization. Previous to that time he was a 
\\'hig and voted for William Henry Har- 
rison. 

Tile home of Mr. and Mrs. Brock was 
blessed with three children. Eva J., the eld- 
est, was born in \"ermont and is the wife of 
Dr. J. M. Carroll, a resident of Laurens, 
Pocahontas county, by whom she has two 
daugliters. The elder. Alma, is the wife of 
Edward Plumb, of Colorado, and they have 
two children, Carroll and Caroline. The 
younger daughter of Mrs. Carroll is Flora, 
the wife of Floyd Tool, of Laurens. Iowa, 
by whom she has one daughter, Helen. Lucy 
Ann. the second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. 
Brock, was bom in Rock county, Wisconsin, 
and is the wife of C. E. Cohoon, an attorney 
at Emmettsburg. Iowa, by whom she has 
one son. Brock. Hattie I., the youngest 
daughter of the family, was born on the 
edge of Rock prairie in Rock county, \\is- 
consin, and became the wife of J. T. Kelly. 
After his death she married J. H. Harrison 
and resides at Manson. Iowa. Her husband 
is engaged in merchandising at Rock Rapids. 
By her first marriage she had two children, 
Loie A. and D. J. 

Mr. Brock has led a very useful, honor- 
able and active life. Starting out upon an 



k 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



363. 



independent business career, lie had no cap- 
ital arul all that he possesses has been ac- 
quired through his own efforts. While he 
has gained success, it has been won through 
persistent and honorable purpose and over 
the record of his career there falls no shadow 
of wrong or suspicion of evil. He has passed 
the seventy-fifth milestone on life's journey 
and receives the veneration and respect 
which should ever be accorded to those who 
have reached an honorable old age. 



CHARLES BALLSTADT. 

Tlie world owes much of its modern civ- 
ilization to the Teutonic race whose repre- 
sentatives through many generations steadily 
drifted westward, carrying with them the 
older progress and improvement of their for- 
mer homes. Many leading citizens of Cal- 
houn county are of German birth or Ger- 
man lineage, and the sterling characteristics 
of these people have been manifest in everj- 
walk of life leading to improvement and 
upbuilding. Mr. Ballstadt is among the 
number who have come from the fatherland 
to America. He was born in the province 
of Pommern, Germany, December 20, 1833. 
His parents died when he was only about 
six years of age, and he was reared and 
educated by a guardian, with whom he re- 
mained until twenty-four years of age. In 
the meantime he served for tiiree years in 
the German army, in accordance with the 
laws of his native land. At the age of twen- 
ty-six our subject crossed the Atlantic, land- 
ing in Xew York in the spring of 1859. 
He then made his way to Milwaukee, Wis- 
consin, where he worked for six dollars per 
month, being glad to receive any w-age that 
would yield him an honest living. 



When the Civil war was inaugurated, ia 
April, 1861, he responded to the call for 
seventy-five thousand volunteers issued by 
President Lincoln. He Ijecame a memljer 
of the First Wisconsin Infantry under Col- 
onel Starkweather, being a private of Com- 
pany H, which was commanded by Captain 
William George. He served for three 
months as a private and in 1864 he again 
joined the army, this time as a member of 
Company K, First United States Veteran 
Volunteer Engineers, under Captain William 
O. Saar and Colonel Merrill. Chattanooga 
was their destination. The troops were sent 
with one hundred pontoon boats down the 
Tennessee river to Decatur, Alabama, to lay 
a pontoon bridge across the river at the time 
of Hood"s invasion into Xashville, Tennes- 
see. Subsequently they were sent to build 
blockhouses to protect the railroad between 
Xashville and Columbia, Tennessee, and 
there the regiment was cut oflf from its base 
of supplies. For a time they lived on only 
quarter rations and had a hard time to get 
anything at all to eat. Tliere Mr. Ballstadt 
was taken il! and sent to Chattanooga to the 
hospital, where he remained until the war 
ended, receiving an honorable discharge in 
October. 1865. He was mustered out at 
X'ashville, Tennessee, and for a week or 
two lay ill in Chicago Ijefore he could pro- 
ceed to his destination — Milwaukee, Wis- 
consin. A year passed before he had fully 
recovered his health. 

After the war Mr. Ballstadt was em- 
ployed in a machine shop in Beaver Dam, 
Wisconsin, and not long after this was mar- 
ried on the 23d of March, 1869, to Miss 
Caroline Wentlandt, who was born in the 
province of Posen, Germany, February 15,, 
1843, ^ daughter of Ludwig and Johanna 
(Kamms) Wentlandt.- After their marriage 



364 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Mr. and Mrs. Ballstadt started for Nebraska, 
but while en route decided to change their 
course and made their way by team to Fort 
Dodge, Iowa, where they arrived in the 
spring of 1869. In July of the same year 
our subject purchased the homestead of 
Jimmy Connor, on section 4. Greenfield 
township, Calhoun county. This country 
was then new and wild and the prairie was 
unbroken. In the spring of 1870 there was 
a memorable storm, the blizzard lasting for 
three da^■s and the snow was so blinding that 
many lost their way. It was an experience 
which will never be forgotten by the .early 
settlers. i\Ir. Ballstadt engaged in breaking 
the prairie with ox-teams, planted trees and 
made other improvements upon his farm. 
Tliere was no coal bank nearer than the Des 
Moines river and it took two days to. make 
a trip there and return with a load of fuel. 
He built his home with lumber, which he 
hauled from Fort Dodge, first living in a 
little shanty, fourteen by fourteen feet, and 
eight feet in height. It was made of hard 
lumber and the hand-made shingles were of 
red oak. Xails were probably very scarce 
at that time, for only one nail was used to a 
shingle. Some settlers of the neighborhood 
became dissatisfied with conditions of Cal- 
houn county at that period and left for other 
portions of the country. There were many 
sloughs and ponds and it required much 
draining to make the land cultivable. The 
settlers had to go twenty-five miles to pay 
taxes and many hardships and trials were 
to be borne, but gradually pioneer conditions 
gave way before the advance of civilization. 
In the year 1869 Mr. Ballstadt began grad- 
ing on the Illinois Central Railroad from 
Fort Dodge. Manson was the nearest trad- 
ing point after the completion of the road 
to that city, but previous to that time Fort 



Dodge was he market in which the settlers 
sold their products and purchased needed 
supplies. Mr. Ballstadt paid three dollars 
and seventy-five cents per acre for forty 
acres of his homestead. It was swamp land, 
but his efforts resulted in making it a pro- 
ductive tract and as the years have passed 
he has added to his propertv uiuil he now 
has four hundred and fifty acres, all of 
which is under cultivation. To-day he is one 
of the well-to-do farmers of this portion of 
the state and deserves great credit for what 
he has accomplished, as his property has 
been acquired entirely through his own ef- 
forts. 

Unto Mr. and IMrs. Ballstadt have been 
born six children, of whom one died in in- 
fancy. The others are: Albert H., born 
June 2, 1871, and is a resident of Lincoln 
township, Calhoun county: Rudolph C, who 
was born August 19, 1873, and is employed 
in a bank at Manson; Theodore L., who is 
at home and whose birth occurred on the 
31st of January, 1876: Helena A., who was 
born April 19, 1878, and is a resident of 
Fort Dodge; and Carl G., who was born 
August 25, 1884. 3nd is living at home. 
After residing for thirty-three years in Iowa, 
during which time she never knew that any 
of her relatives had emigrated to .\merica, 
Mrs. Ballstadt learned through correspond- 
ence with her eldest brother, now in Ger- 
many, that her brother Edward had crossed 
the Atlantic and was carrying on a pros- 
perous business as owner of paper mills in 
Outagamie county, Wisconsin, and that her 
brother August, now deceased, with whom 
she had been corresponding, had married 
twice and by the first marriage had five chil- 
dren, all of whom were living in Wisconsin. 
This was joyful news to Mrs. Ballstadt. and 
in company with h.er husband she made a 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



365- 



trip to Wisconsin recently, enjoying a two 
weeks" \isit with lier relatives there. They 
had written many letters, but ail had been 
returned, none reaching Mrs. Ballstadt. She 
also had a brother William, who is now 
deceased, and her brother Samuel is yet liv- 
ing in Posen, Germany. Her parents died 
at a very advanced age, her father in 1879, 
Avhen about eighty years of age, her mother 
in 1883, when about eighty-one years of age. 
Mr. Ballstadt has served as school di- 
rector and as township trustee, and was 
also constable for several years. In his po- 
litical affiliations he is a Republican and has 
always supported that party. In the work 
of public progress and improvement our sub- 
ject has ever taken an active and helpful part, 
his labors being effective in promoting the 
progress of the coiuity. He has helped lay 
out roads and build bridges, to improve the 
prairie and to advance civilization along all 
'lines of material progress. Great changes 
have been wrought by time and man since 
his arrival here. He first used a double 
shovel and one horse to plow his land, and 
planted his corn by hand. The blackbirds 
were very plentiful and would often steal 
the corn. The country was full of ducks, 
cranes and geese, and thus the hunter had 
ample opportunity to indulge his love of 
sport. During the cyclone which occurred 
on the 17th of June, 1898, Mr. Ballstadt 
barely escaped with his life. He and his 
family, with the exception of his eldest son, 
made their wav to the cellar. Mr. Ballstadt 
had just returned from Manson when the 
cloud came and descended upon this region. 
His barn was moved two inches from the 
foundation and wrecked to some extent. T\^t 
chimney was blown from the house, liie 
grass was damaged, fruit trees were de- 
stroved and three large trees which stood 



two rods from the house were uprooted. The 
smoke house was torn to pieces from the 
force of the wind and the picket fence was 
thrown over and many of the posts were 
pulled from the ground and broken off. His 
son Albert, living in Lincoln township, suf- 
fered even more severely from the storm. 
His horse barn was damaged and one horse 
was thrown over a wire fence and injured. 
Although discouragements and obstacles 
have barred his path to success. Mr. Ballstadt 
has nevertheless advanced toward prosperity 
with a resolute spirit and strong determina- 
tion, brooking no obstacles that he could 
overcome by honorable effort, making the 
most of his opportunities, and at all times 
following the belief that honest}- is the best 
policy he has now become one of the sub- 
stantial and prosperous agriculturists of this 
portii'U of Iowa. Both he and his wife are 
charter members of the Evangelical Lu- 
theran church. The first meetings here were 
held in the schoolhouse and later in a small 
church, but to-day the congregation owns a 
modern church which was erected at a cost 
of four thousand dollars. For a year he has 
been one of the trustees of the church, and 
takes a verv active interest in its work. 



CYRUS FULKERSON. 

The name of Cyrus Fulkerson is insep- 
arably interwoven with the history of the 
pioneer development in Callioun county. 
He has for many years maintained his resi- 
dence here. At the time of his arrival the 
land was still in possession of the govern- 
ment, the ])rairies were, wild and unim- 
proved, pioneer conditions existed and many 
hardships and difficulties had to be bdrne by 



366 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



the early settlers, but they laid the founda- 
tion of the present development and progress 
■of this portion of the state, and to them is 
■due a debt of gratitude for what they accom- 
plished on behalf of Calhoun county. 

Mr. Fulkerson was born in Montour 
-county, Pennsylvania, August 30, 1833, and 
is the son of Robert and Leah (Bauchert) 
Fulkerson, both of whom were natives of 
Pennsylvania and were of Holland descent. 
John Fulkerson, the grandfather Of our sub- 
ject, settled in the Keystone state at a very 
■early date. In 1840 the family removed to 
Elkhart, Indiana. The father was a farmer 
and carpenter and in the later years of his 
life gave his attention exclusively to the lat- 
ter pursuit. The mother died in Pennsyl- 
vania, when the son Cyrus was only two or 
three days old, also leaving a daughter, Lucy 
A., who became the wife of D. L. Huffman, 
■but both of them are now deceased. The fa- 
ther married the second time and died in 
18S2, at the age of seventy-eight years. 

Cyrus Fulkerson, the subject of this re- 
view, accompanied his parents on their vari- 
ous removals, and in the common schools he 
pursued his education, and came to Indiana 
in 1850. He came west, driving across the 
prairies from Elkhart with two yoke of cat- 
tle, camping by the wayside at night. He 
had purchased some land in Jackson town- 
ship, Calhoun county, before coming, and in 
the fall of i860 he reached his destination, 
■spending the winter on the Coon river. 
While in Indiana he had engaged in the 
manufacture of shingles for about twelve 
years, and when he reached Calhoun county 
he believed that he might follow the same 
pursuit profitably, so he ordered a shingle 
machine and became identified with the in- 
dustrial interests of the community. On the 
15th of September, 1861, he wedded Sarah 



E. Stephenson, the daughter of James and 
Mary (Groves) Stephenson. Mrs. Fulker- 
son is a native of Kosciusko county, Indi- 
ana, and with her mother came to the west 
in 1856, settling in Greene coimty, Iowa. The 
winter following was the coldest one known 
in the history of the state. The prairie fire 
burned all of their hay and in consequence 
most of their cattle perished. The family 
endured many hardships and trials during 
that winter, experiencing all the difficulties 
that fall to the lot of the pioneer. Mrs. 
Fulkerson was the youngest of a family of 
six children, of whom four are still living. 
Her eldest sister, Elizabeth, became the wife 
of William Moore, and both are now de- 
ceased. Margaret married Isaac Ritchie, of 
Cedar Creek, Greene county. Eliza is the 
wife of Henry Kelley, of Warsaw, Indiana, 
who> served in the Mexican war; and Will- 
iam G. is a resident of Churdan, Greene 
county. The mother of this family was 
again married, and her death occurred Sep- 
tember 10. 1875, on the old homestead in 
Greene county. She was a native of Hamil- 
ton county, Ohio, and was most faithfully 
devoted to her family, accomplishing much 
for their welfare. 

In the fall of 1861 jNIr. and ?ilrs. Fulker- 
son took up their abode on the site of their 
present home. He purchased his farm, 
which is now a part of Lake City, for six 
dollars per acre, and upon the place was a 
log cabin. He also bought fifty acres east 
of his present residence, and on it stands a 
large cottonwood tree which he planted 
about the time of his arrival. Mr. Fulker- 
son had been educated in select schools of 
Pennsylvania, where he studied higher math- 
ematics and surveying, and here he followed 
surveying for a time. Near the cottonwood 
tree he also built a shingle mill, which he 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



367 



operated by Iiand, Mrs. Fulkerson sometimes 
aiding him in cutting shingles, also in car- 
rying on the work of the farm and harvest 
fields. She has indeed been to him a faith- 
ful companion and helpmate on the journey 
of life. As the years passed Mr. Fulkerson 
added to his original purchases until he 
has owned one hundred and se\-enty acres 
of valuable land. Of this he has sold 
forty acres, which was divided into city lots, 
laying out the divide in 1882, since which 
time he has sold all but two of the lots. The 
place is known as the Fulkerson addition, 
and is one of the desirable residence portions 
of the town. In addition to his land that 
is now included within the corporation limits 
of Lake City, Mr. Fulkerson has a fine tract 
of land of one hundred and sixty acres else- 
where. He has bought and sold considerable 
real estate here and has owned some valuable 
city property here and in Des Moines. 

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Fulkerson 
has been blessed with ten children : George 
H. and William, both of whom are residents 
of Lake City; Elmer, who died at the age 
of fourteen months; C. Perry, also of Lake 
City; Walter Scott, of Lytton; Cyrus B., 
who is living near Lake City; Vinnie Bell, 
who married M. L. Keever, of Des Moines ; 
Emma L., the wife of A. V. Kettells; Frank, 
who died at the age of eighteen months; and 
Mary Edna, who is at home with her par- 
ents. 

Mr. Fulkerson served as township clerk 
at an early date, before the counties were 
divided, and was also school director for 
a number of years. His wife is a member 
of the Christian church. They are indeed 
honored pioneers of the county, having wit- 
nessed almost its entire development. At 
the time of their arrival there was a residence 
in Lake City occupied by Charles Amy and 



his two sons. That building and the old 
wooden courthouse were the only structures 
in the town. Elk and deer were very plenti- 
ful, and when Mrs. Fulkerson was a girl 
in Greene county she saw herds of as many 
as one hundred elk. \\'heat brought only 
twenty-five cents per bushel and flour cost 
ten dollars for one hundred pounds in those 
times, and Des Moines was the nearest mar- 
ket, Mr. Fulkerson hauling his grain to that 
place, a distance of eighty miles. He would 
drive ox-teams to the city and would there 
obtain his mail, until a postoffice was estab- 
lished nearer his home. The old log cabin 
in which his family lived for ten years has 
been moved out on the prairie and is now 
used as a part of a residence. Indians 
sometimes visited the neighborhood and 
ever}-thing bespoke of the wild and unim- 
proved condition of the country. Mr. Ful- 
kerson cast his first presidential vote for 
Lincoln in 1864, and has since been a stanch 
Republican, but has never sought or desired 
office, other than those mentioned, preferring 
to give his time and attention to his business 
affairs, in which he has met with excellent 
results, so that now he is enabled to live a 
retired life. No men in the count}- were 
more widely known and none deser\-e higher 
esteem than this honored pioneer settler. 



H. J. RICHMOND. 



Among the pioneer residents of Calhoun 
county is numbered H. J. Richmond, who is 
now serving as city marshal of Manson, and 
as a representative of the law and order de- 
partment he is well known by reason of his 
efficiency and faithfulness in the discharge of 
his duties. During the long residence in 



368 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Callioun county he has gained a wide ac- 
quaintance and enjoys the high esteem of all 
with whom he is associated. 

H. J. Richmond was born in Schuyler 
county, New' York, November 29, 1843, ^^^ 
is the son of John and Lucretia (Vaughan) 
Richmond, the former a native of New York 
and the latter of Pennsylvania. The father 
was of English and Scotch descent, while 
the mother was of Welsh lineage, and they 
were farming people who in 1852 left their 
home in the Empire state and moved west- 
ward to Illinois, settling in Kane county. 
The year 1865 witnessed their arrival in Cal- 
houn county, Iowa, where they took up their 
abode upon a farm near Manson. There for 
many years the father carried on agricultural 
pursuits, but at length put aside such duties 
and labors and in 1892 removed to Manson, 
where he lived in honorable retirement until 
his death, Which occurred November 29, 
1892. His wife has also passed away. 
Three sons and two daughters of the family 
are still living. Charles H. married Carrie 
Van Cleve and makes his home in Manson. 
A. A. wedded Miss Clements, and they re- 
side at Rolf, Iowa. The sisters are Mrs. E. 
R. Moore, now a widow residing in Manson, 
and Mrs. C. C. Kibler, who is also living in 
this place. 

To the common-school system of Illinois 
and Iowa H. J. Richmond is indebted for 
the educational pri\-ileges which he enjoyed 
and which fitted him for life's practical 
duties. He remained upon the home farm 
until twenty-one years of age, but previous 
to this he responded to his country's call 
for aid, enlisting on the 12th of August, 
1862, as a member of the One Hundred and 
Twelfth Illinois Infantry, serving under 
General Sherman for three years. He par- 
ticipated in the battles of Somerset, Knox- 



ville and Chattanooga, and was through all 
the Atlanta campaign and the Georgia cam- 
paign. He was in the battles of Franklin 
and Nashville. Fort Fisher, Raleigh and 
Greensboro and was always found at his post 
of duty, whether on the picket line of in the 
thickest of the fight. He was slightly 
wounded, receiving two bullet wounds, one 
at Dandridge and the other at Big Shanty. 
He served throughout his term as a private, 
and received an honoraljle discharge at 
Greensboro, on the 20th of June, 1S65. The 
regiment then came to Chicago and he was 
mustered out. 

At the close of the war ]Mr. Richmond 
joined his parents and with them came direct 
to Iowa. He was married, in December, 
1874, to Mary E. McCulloch, who was a 
native of Philadelphia, born in 1851. She 
was left an orphan in early girlhood. She 
has three sisters and one brother, all of 
whom are residing in Pennsylvania, namely : 
Mrs. Jane Park, Lucy, Anna and Hugh. 
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Richmond 
was celebrated in Illinois and he there re- 
mained for two years, devoting his attention 
to farming, after which he returned to Iowa 
and purchased a farm of eight}- acres, on 
which he made his home until his removal 
to Manson in 1892. He has since disposed 
of his farm property and is now enjoying a 
well earned rest. In public office he has 
been quite prominent and at the present time 
is filling the office of township constable for 
the fifth term of two years each. He is also 
serving his third ^-ear as city marshal. He 
built and owned the first house in Manson, 
it being erected in December, 18G9. At all 
times he has been closely connected with 
public progress and is one' of the representa- 
tive residents of his city. 

In 1S78 Air. Richmond was called upon 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



369 



to mourn the loss of his wife, who cHed on 
tlie 27th of November of that year. His 
daugliter has since discharged the duties of 
the household and keeps everything about 
the place attractive and pleasant. Mr. Rich- 
mond attends the Methodist Episcopal 
church, although he is not connected with 
any religious denomination by membership 
relations. In politics he is a Republican and 
firmly endorses the principles of the party. 
.\11 who know him esteem him for his gen- 
uine worth, and he is as true to-day to his 
duties of citizenship as when he followed 
the starry banner of the nation upon south- 
ern battle-fields. 



JOHN T. MILBURN. 

John T. Milburn is now living a retired 
life in Manson. Through many years he 
was an active factor in industrial circles, and 
his earnest labor and capable management 
have brought to him the success which now 
enables him to put aside business cares. He 
is a Manxman, his birth having occurred in 
Douglass, on the beautiful Isle of Man, on 
the 2d of January, 1858, his parents being 
Philip and Margaret (Hudghen) Milburn, 
both of whom were Man.x people, born on 
the Isle of Man. The father was a ship- 
carjienter and was also proprietor of the 
hotels. Black Lion and Carpenters .Arms. 
Both parents remained on their native isle 
until called to their final rest. The mother 
died in i860, when our subject was only two 
years old. Init the father siu'vived until 1897. 
Mr. Milburn, of this review, has one brother, 
James Brighton, who is married and resides 
in St. Louis, Missouri. 

In the common schools of his native isle 
21 



John T. Milburn pitrsued his education un- 
til twelve years of age, when he came to 
America with his cousin and a party of 
friends, a location being made in Dodgeville, 
Wisconsin. Mr.- Milburn worked upon a 
farm belonging to his uncle for five years and 
then learned the Ijlacksmith's trade, which he 
followed continuously until his retirement 
from business life in the summer of 1901. 
He became an e.xpert workman, thoroughly 
mastering- the business in every department, 
and secured a liberal patronage which con- 
tinually increased, bringing to him gratify- 
ing success. He was married in Wisconsin 
and after residing there for a number of 
years removed to- Illinois, conducting a 
blacksmith shop at ditTerent times in Peli- 
can, Terrible, Coray City Mines, and Lyn- 
wood Springs, Colorado. He was thus en- 
gaged for about three years and then re- 
turned to Dodge City, Wisconsin, where he 
remained for about the same length of time, 
after which he came to Manson, where he 
purchased a smithy. Soon afterward he re- 
turned to the Badger state for' a short visit 
and then again came to Manson, conduct- 
ing his shop at this place until with a com- 
fortable competence gained from his labors 
he retired to private life. 

On the 13th of May. 1891, Mv. Alilbuni 
was united in marriage tO' Mrs. Alargaret. 
Hudghen, a widow, the wedding l)eing cele- 
brated at Freeport, Illinois, forty miles from' 
Dodgeville, Wisconsin. Tlie ladv was born, 
at Laxey, on the Isle of Man, .\ugust 14,. 
18.27. Her parents were also Manx people 
and followed farming. .After her first mar- 
riage Mrs. Milburn came with her husband 
to .\merica and they took up their abode in 
Wisconsin in 1853, living in a log cabin in 
the usual manner of frontier settlers. Mr. 
Hudghen died in that state April 2;^, 1882, 



3/0 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



The only child of this marriage, a son, died 
in early youth. Mrs. Milbnrn has one broth- 
er living, John Cowley, who is a retired 
farmer of Wisconsin. Our sujjject and his 
■wife have a pleasant home in Manson, and 
in addition to this property he owns two 
farms in W'ilkins county, Minnesota, com- 
prising three hundred and twenty acres of 
rich land. He also has served as city coun- 
cilman for six years. He is a Mason, be- 
longing to Morning Light Lodge, No. 384, 
F. & A. M., while his wife belongs to the 
•order of the Eastern Star. While in Silver 
Plume, Colorado, in 1882, he became con- 
nected with the Knights of Pythias frater- 
nity, of which he has been a prominent mem- 
ber, and is now a member of ilanson Lodge, 
No. 95. K. P.. in which he has twice served 
as representative to the grand lodge. His 
wife belongs to the Congregational church, 
and both are highly esteemed people well 
known in IManson, where the hospitality of 
the best families is freelv extended to them. 



EDGAR S. JACKSON. 

Prominent among the business men of 
Calhoun county is numbered Edgar S. Jack- 
son, the junior member of the firm of Jack- 
son & Son, well known dealers in full-blood- 
ed Galloway cattle. For twenty years he 
lias now been a resident of Garfield town- 
ship, and all of his interests from boyhood 
have been closely associated with this lo- 
cality. In his special line of business he has 
met with great success, and by the energy 
and zeal which he has manifested he has won 
the confidence and esteem of the public. 

^Ir. Jackson was torn in Syracuse, New 
York. October 18, 1865, and is a son of 



James J. and Sarah (Seaman) Jackson, also 
natives of the Empire state, the former born 
near Syracuse, New York, the latter in the 
same state. Throughout his active business 
life the father followed agricultural pursuits, 
being engaged in farming in New York and 
Illinois prior to coming to Iowa* in 1882. 
Believing Calhoun county to be a desirable 
location, he purchased land in Garfield town- 
ship and was there successfully engaged in 
general farming and the breeding of fine 
cattle for several years, but now makes his 
home in Sac City, Iowa. Upright and hon- 
orable in all his dealings, he commands the 
respect and confidence of all with whom he 
is brought in contact, and has a host of warm 
friends in this county. In his family are 
three children: Carrie, Edgar S. and 
Winifred. 

The subject of this sketch was principally 
reared in La Salle county, Illinois, being sev- 
enteen years of age when he came to Iowa. 
He attended the public schools of both states 
and under the able guidance of his father 
soon gained an excellent knowledge of agri- 
cultural pursuits. He owns one hundred 
and si.xty acres of land in Garfield town- 
ship, and in connection with its cultivation 
lie also operates his father's farm of one 
hundred an<l sixty acres. Soon after locat- 
ing here the father became interested in the 
breeding of Galloway cattle, starting with 
onlv one male and one female, but at the 
present time he and his son are among the 
best known men in nortliwestern Iowa en- 
gaged in that business. They have given to 
it their .special attention and have met with 
marked success. Their herd to-day consists 
of about one hundred and twenty-five head, 
one hundred of these being full-blooded an- 
imals. They have made shipments to many 
points throughout the northwest and their 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



371 



trade is constantly increasing as the firm of 
Jackson & Son becomes more widely known. 
They have some fine animals upon the farm 
and our subject takes a just pride in his 
stock. In connection with cattle breeding 
he carries on general farming and raises 
about seventy-five acres of corn and forty 
-acres of small grain, the remainder of the 
farm being pasture and meadow land. 

On the 19th of September, 1894, Mr. 
Jackson was united in marriage with Miss 
Bessie Mosier, who was born in Polk coun- 
ty, low-a, March 4, 1876, a daughter of Ely 
and Clarkie (Crum) Mosier. One child has 
come to bless tliis union, Forest Lynn, who 
was born September 24, 1899. I" l^is po- 
litical views Mr. Jackson is a stanch Repub- 
lican. He is a wide-awake, energetic busi- 
ness man of known reliability, and stands 
high in the esteem of his fellow citizens. 



J. FRANK CASS. 

History is not the outcome of the actions 
■of one man or of a few men but of the ag- 
gregate endeavor of many. Each citizen 
bears a part in producing results that mold 
public afifairs and bring about conditions that 
affect either the weal or woe of the general 
public. Mr. Cass, a well known resident of 
Elm Grove township, has ever been found 
■on the side of progress, improvement and the 
right. He resides on section 4, Elm Grove 
township, where he owns and operates a 
good farm. His landed possessions com- 
prise about two hundred acres. 

Mr. Cass is one of Iowa's native sons, 
his birth having occurred in Jackson county, 
this state, on the 15th of November, 1853. 
His father, John Cass, was born in New 



York in 1828, and at an early date came to 
Iowa with his parents. He was reared in 
Clinton county and after he had arrived at 
years of maturity he was married in Jack- 
son county to Orpha Louisa Hill, who was 
a native of New York. Mr. Cass entered 
land from the government in Jackson town- 
ship, and there opened up a farm, upon 
which he reared his family and carried on 
business interests for many years, but now 
he is living retired, making his home in 
Monmouth, Iowa. 

Mr. Cass, of this review, was reared in 
Jackson county and pursued his education 
in Mount Vernon, Iowa, and in Valparaiso, 
Indiana. When his student days were over 
he began teaching, following the profession 
in Jackson and Calhoun counties. He came 
to the latter county in 1880 and here pur- 
chased one hundred and twenty acres of raw 
prairie land, on which no improvement had 
been made. He soon fenced his farm, built 
a home and began the development and im- 
provement of his land. From the seed he 
has raised maple, ash and lx)x elder trees. 
He has also planted an orchard, which is 
now in excellent bearing condition. He 
built good barns, purchased the latest im- 
proved machinery and has added all the 
modern accessories and ecjuipments until his 
place is one of the desirable farm properties 
of the county. For a number of years he 
has also successfully engaged in raising a 
high grade of stock and now has a herd of 
about fifty head of Galloway cattle. 

Returning to Jackson county, Mr. Cass 
was there united in marriage, on Christmas 
day of 1880, to Miss Pearl Adelaide Bill, a 
native of Jones county, Iowa, and a daughter 
of Oliver J. Bill, who was born and reared 
in New York. \\'hen a young man, how- 
ever, he left that state and went to Ohio, 



372 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



where he was twice married, the mother of 
Mrs. Cass, being the second wife. Her 
maiden name was Alary Faucett. A native 
of England, she went with her parents to 
Ohio when a child of three years. Mrs. Bill 
is living in Wyoming, Jones county, Iowa. 
She was the mother of seven children, four 
of whom are yet living. Oliver J. Bill re- 
moved to Iowa, where he became one of the 
early settlers of Jones county. There he pur- 
chased land and developed a farm, upon 
which he reared his family and spent his re- 
maining days. Mrs. Cass passed her girl- 
hood days in Jones county and pursued her 
education in the schools of Mount Vernon. 
She engaged in teaching in Jones, Sac and 
Jackson counties previous to her marriage, 
and the readiness and clearness with which 
she imparted tO' others the knowledge that 
she had acquired made her a capable edu- 
cator. Five children have been born unto 
our subject and his wife: Uretta May, Iva 
Orpha. Charles Henry, Effie Ellen and 
Glenn Robert. 

Mr. Cass first voted for Rutherford B. 
Hayes, casting his ballot for that nominee of 
the Republican party in 1876. Since that 
time he has never failed to support the con- 
ditions of that organization and he strongly 
endorses Republican principles. He keeps 
well informed on the issues of the day and 
is therefore able to uphold his political 
opinion by intelligent argument. At local 
elections, where no issues are involved, he 
regards only the capability of the candidate 
and pays no attention to party affiliation. Po- 
litical office and emulations have never had 
attraction for him to any extent, although he 
is now serving as assessor of Elm Grove 
township, his term covering two years. His 
wife is a member of the Elm Grove Pres- 
byterian church. Mr. Cass has always been 
a resident of Iowa and has made his home 



in Calhoun county for twenty-two years. 
During this time he has witnessed the in- 
troduction of the railroad and the telegraphy 
while towns and villages have sprung up and 
schools and churches have indicated the in- 
tellectual and moral progress of the people. 
He has always supported movements for the 
general good and though his life has been 
quietly passed he has that true worth of char- 
acter which in every land and every clime 
commands respect and confidence. 



DAVID BLEAM. 



David Bleam is a retired farmer resid- 
ing in Manson. America is rich in oppor- 
tunity .and here the individual may by strong 
purpose and unflagging diligence win suc- 
cess unhampered by the caste and class whicli 
impedes his progress in foreign lands. Mr. 
Bleam owes his prosperity entirely to his- 
own efforts and deserves great credit for 
what he has achieved. He is now living in 
the enjoyment of the fruits of his former 
toil and well does he merit the rest which' 
crowns his lalxirs. He was born in Bucks 
county, Pennsylvania, Decanber 17, 1837. 
His father, Samuel Bleam, was also a na- 
tive of the Keystone state and there wedded 
Mary Hottel, like^vise a native of Pennsyl- 
vania. The father engaged in carpentering 
and contracting and died when our subject 
was only six months old. He was a Whig 
in his political belief and he held membership 
in the ]\Iennonite church. His wife still sur- 
vives him and now makes her home in Phil- 
adelphia. David Bleam was their only son 
and the youngest of their three children, the 
others being Lydia, the widow of A. Ben- 
ner, who' died in 1899, her home being in 
Philadelphia, and Betsey, who died in in- 
fancy. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



373 



III the common schools of Iiis native state 
David Bleam beg'an his education which he 
contintied until sixteen vears of ag'e, when he 
started out in life on his own account, learn- 
ing the miller's trade, which he followed for 
ten consecutive years. Like most young men, 
in early manhood he soiUght companionship 
for the journey of life, and oil the 4th of 
July, 1858, in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, was 
imited in marriage to Katherine P. Bickert. 
She was born in Xorthampton county in the 
town of Bethlehem. Pennsylvania. December 
16, 1839. Her father. Joseph Bickert. was a 
native of Lehigh coimty and a son of Nich- 
olas Bickert. The latter served in the Rev- 
olutionary' war, valiantly espousing the cause 
of the colonies, and died in 1842 when aboiit 
ninety years of age. His son, Joseph Bick- 
ert, was a faithful defender of the American 
cause in the war of 1812. He was united 
in marriage to Esther Young, who was born 
in Hanover township, Northampton county, 
Pennsylvania. Her father, John M. Young, 
was likewise a native of Pennsvlvania, and 
■was a son of George Young, who' served his 
country in the Revolutionary war. The fonn- 
er engaged in farming and also owned and 
operated se\-eral distilleries. Pie became 
quite wealthy and died at the ag^e of sixty- 
three years, giving his proiierty to his eleven 
children. After the marriage of Mr. and 
Mrs. Bickert they located in that neighbor- 
hood, where IMr. Bickert engaged in car- 
pentering and contracting, being actively 
identified with the building interests of that 
locality for a number of years. He was also 
the owner of land and in later years engaged 
in the manufacture of lime, owning and op- 
erating three kilns. He was a Democrat in 
politics, although he supported Abraham 
Lincoln and was a strong advocate of the 
Union cause. He held membership in the 
German Reformed church and his life was 



in consistent harmou}' with its teachings. 
On the JOtli of Decanber, 1877, his life's 
labors were ended in death and many friends 
mourned his loss. In the family of Joseph 
Bickert were ten children. Tillman, de- 
ceased, married Sarah Arndt, who now re- 
sides in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Eliza 
Ann is the wife of Tillman Kitt and resides 
at Emuse, "Lehigh coimty, Pennsylvania. 
Mathew married Hannali Klator. He passed 
away ini 1899 and his widow no-w resides in 
Huddlesville, near Bethlehem. Pennsylvania. 
Katherine P. is the wife of onr subject. Hen- 
ry married Mrs. Sarah Ibilson, who now re- 
sides in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He died De- 
cember 20, 1893. Samuel married Emma 
Keckline and resides in Bethlehem, Pennsvl- 
vania, Sarah became the wife of John 
Shively, a resident of Goldsboro, Maryland. 
The three yotuigest children, Marie, John 
and a babe, died in infancy. 

Mr. and Mrs. Bleam began their domes- 
tic life in Pennsylvania, where they remained 
for six years and on the expiration o\ that 
period they emigrated to the west settling in 
Keokuk county, Iowa, where he remained 
alx)tit three months and then went to Ben- 
ton county, where our subject rented a tract 
of land, thereon engaging- in farming for 
four years. He next came t(_> Calhoun coun- 
ty, in the fall of 1868, and secured a h(jme- 
stead claim, but later the swamp land com- 
pany claimed to own a part of it and he had 
to purchase it over again. With characteris- 
tic energy be began the development of his 
farm, on which he erected a gcxxl residence 
and substantial buildings. He also added to 
the place until be now owns a quarter sec- 
tion! of rich land. At the time he took jws- 
session thereoif, hor\vever, it was a tract of 
raw prairie upon which not a furrow had 
been turned i>r an improvement made, but 
he at once began to develop it and in the 



374 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



course of time the well tilled fields were re- 
turning to hini golden harvests in reward 
for his labors. In his fanning methods he 
was practical and progressive and success- 
fully carried on the operations of his land 
until 1898 when he came to Manson, where 
he has since lived retired. He was formerly 
extensively engaged in dealing in stock, 
making a specialty of dairy cattle, including 
shorthorns. His business interests were so 
capably managed that as the years passed he 
added continually to his income and at 
length with a handsome competence, he was 
enabled to put aside the more arduous duties 
of the farm. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bleam have been 
born eight chiUlren. Oliver, the eldest, was 
born December 26, 1858. He married Em- 
ma C. Caldwell, by whom he has one child. 
Beulah. He is living retired in Pocahontas 
county, having been extensively engaged in 
farming. Charles Henr}- is the second mem- 
ber of the family, his birth occurring ^larch 
13. 1861. He was married February 14, 
1890, to ]\Iiss Alma A. Johnson, and resided 
on a farm in Sherman township. He died 
October 20, 1897, leaving a wife and three 
children, Mamie, Floyd and Emery. Allen 
David was the third son born unto }ilr. and 
Mrs. Bleam, his birth having occurred July 
23, 1863. Laura Celestia, born August 29, 
1866, became the wife of Marion I. Randall 
on the lOth of October, 1893, by whom she 
had two children. Myrtle E. and Ruby R. 
The family resides in \\'oodcnville. \\'ash- 
ington, Amanda Eliza was Ijnrn March 14, 
1871, and on the 23d of March, 1892, was 
united in marriage to Charles E. Earish. 
They have three children. Grant L.. Lee and 
Mabel, and reside in W'air. Pocahontas coun- 
ty, Iowa. George Franklin, the si.xth in 
order of birth was born May 14, 1874. and 
died on the 3d of Septemlier, 1874. Emma 



Katherine, born August 2, 1876, married 
Messer Leith, June 29, 1898, and is the 
mother of two children, Flora C. and Loyd 
M. They reside near Fonda, Pocahontas 
coimty, Iowa. Minnie L. is the youngest of 
the cliildren, born IMarch 7, 1880. She mar- 
ried W'illiam Leith and lives on a fann in 
Center township, Calhoun county. They 
have one child, Dorothy Ethel. David 
Bleam and his wife are consistent and ac- 
tive members of the Methodist Episcopal 
church, doing all in their jx)wer to promote 
the cause of Oiristianity. He is a Repub- 
lican in his political affiliations and his fel- 
low tOAvnsmen, recognizing his worth and 
ability, have frequently called upon him to 
fill positions of public trust. He has been 
especially active in behalf of educational in- 
terests, the schools finding in him a warm 
friend. While there haA'e been no exciting 
chapters in the life histor\^ of David Bleam, 
it yet contains lessons which may Ije profita- 
bly followed, for his course has been such 
as to commend him to public confidence and 
regard and to win for him substantial evi- 
dence that his business methods are such as 
secure prosperity. In all the years of his 
residence in the west, he has become widely 
known and the qualities of an upright man- 
hood have made him a \'alued and repre- 
sentative citizen of the communitv. 



lOHN RASMESS. 



This well known successful farmer and 
stock-raiser, residing on section 8. Calhoun 
township, came to this coimtry in 1876, and 
has since been prominently identified with its 
agricultural interests. His early home was 
on the iither side of the Atlantic, for he was 
Imrn near Stavanger, Norwav, November 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



375 



8. 1857. and spent the first sixteen years of 
his life in his na,tive land. He then emi- 
grated to the United States and took up his 
residence in Lee county, Illinois, where he 
worked on a farm for a time. He subse- 
quently spent a few years in DeKalb county, 
that state, where he was similarly employed. 

In 1 88 1 Mr. Rasmess came to Calhoun 
county, Iowa, and purchased the farm where 
he now resides, but soon returned to De- 
Kalb county, Illinois, where he was married, 
March 9, 1882, to Miss Mattie M. Knudson, 
a native of Denmark, who came to the new 
world with her mother during childhood and 
was reared in DeKalb county. Four children 
bless this union, namely: Minnie A., Edith 
R., Mabel J. and John Logan, born ]\Iarch 
3. 1902. 

Soon after their marriage Mr. Rasmess 
and his bride started for their new home 
in Iowa, and to the cultivation and improve- 
ment of his farm he has since devoted his 
energies. He has since built a good sub- 
stantial residence, one of the best in Cal- 
houn township, has erected convenient out- 
buildings, has set out fruit and shade trees 
and has made many other useful and valua- 
ble improvements upon the place. Some 
years ago he became interested in shorthorn 
cattle, commencing in a small way with 
some ])ure blooded stock, and to-day has a 
fine herd of seventy, mostly of the Cruik- 
shank strain. This herd includes several 
head of registered cattle and is one of the 
finest in this section of the country. Mr. 
Rasmess, on the 27th of March. 1902, pur- 
chased for the sum of fourteen hundred dol- 
lars, Dalmeny Princess, 9th, a red heifer that 
took the second prize as a yearling at Edin- 
burgh. Scotland, and is beyond question one 
of the finest bred cattle in the state. Mr. 
Rasmess has a wide reputation as a breeder 
of pure blooded cattle and is well known 



throughout Iowa and adjoining states as a 
successful and reliable dealer. To his farm 
he has added an additional tract of one hun- 
dred and sixty acres. 

Politically he is a stanch Reptiblican, hav- 
ing supported e\'ery presidential candidate of 
that party since casting his first vote for 
James G. Blaine, but he has never cared 
fur the hi mors or emoluments of public office,, 
though he did ser\-e a couple of terms as 
commissioner of highways. Both he and 
his wife were reared in the Lutheran faith, 
but now attend the various churches. Thev 
are people of the highest respectabilitv and 
have a host of wann friends. 



GEORGE B. STARR. 

When the tocsin of war sounded men 
from all parts of the countr\- flocked to the 
standard of the nation. From the work- 
shops, from the fields and the offices came 
those who gave a loyal support to the L'nion. 
Donning the blue uniform they bravelv met 
the hardships of war, risking life in order 
to defend the land which the}' loved. Among 
the number found upon southern battle- 
fields in the defense of what they believed to 
be right was George B. Starr, who is classed 
among the honored pioneer settlers of Cal- 
hoim cotmty and is one who through hon- 
esty and indefatigable efforts has gained a 
handsome competence. Mr. Starr was born 
in Tazewell county. Illinois. April 23, 1837, 
his i)arents being Henry and Catherine 
(Slygh) Starr, the former a native of Mas- 
sachusetts and the latter of Albany, New 
York. The)' were married in Illinois, Sep- 
tember 3. 1836, and located in Tremont. 
There the father of our subject, who was a 
physician, died in 1838, and the mother long 



376 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



survived him, passing away on the 25th of 
November, 1891. 

George B. Starr attended scliotjl in 
Rochester, IlHnois, and after he liad become 
old enough to earn liis own Hving he worked 
through the summer months, pursuing his 
-education only in the winter season. When 
he was twent}--one years of age he l^egan 
working on a farm and later renting land, 
•continued its culti\-ation until the 9th of 
August, 1862, when he placed his name on 
the enlistment roll of soldiers, joining Com- 
pany G, Eighty-ninth Illinois Infantry un- 
der Captain Whiting and Colonel Hotchkiss. 
With his regiment he then went tO' Louisville 
imder General Buell and on to Nashville, 
Tennessee, when he joined the forces of Gen- 
eral Rosecrans. Later Mr. Starr took part 
in the battles of ]\Iurfreesboro, Chickamauga 
and in all of the engagements which oc- 
curred as the army proceeded to that point. 
From Chickamauga the Union troops fell 
back to Chattanooga. He was also in the 
battles of Lookout Moimtain. Missionary 
Ridge and Knoxville, and under the com- 
mand of General Grant assisted in the At- 
lanta campaign. He was wounded in a 
skirmish at Burnt Hickory, Georgia, in the 
left leg, being shot by a minie ball. On ac- 
count of the injury he was sent to the field 
hospital and was afterward removed to the 
hospitals at Chattanooga, Nashville, Tennes- 
see, Louisville, Kentucky, and Jefferson Bar- 
racks, Missouri, remaining at the last place 
until honorably discharged on the i6th of 
May, 1865, when he returned to Illinois. His 
military record is one worthy of high praise. 
He was always found at his post of duty, 
wheither on the picket line or the firing line, 
and was in many of the most important 
struggles. 

Soon after his return to' the north Mr. 
Starr made his wav to Calhoun countv. 



Iowa, where he located on eighty acres of 
land and in 1867 he took up his abode upon 
his claim, to which he brought his bride. 
That year, in Kewanee, Illinois, he was 
united in marriage to Miss Lamira Sharp, 
who was born in LcAviston, Illinois, October 
10, 1847, 'iiid was the daughter of Robert 
M. and Amanda M. (Umstead) Sharp, the 
fomier a native of Ohio and the latter of 
Illinois. They were married and located in 
the Prairie state but subsequently removed 
to Michigan. Later, however, they returned 
to Illinois, locating in Lafayette, Stark coun- 
ty. The mother died October 26, 1858, and 
the father went west, since which time no 
news lias been received from him. Mrs. 
Starr was one of a family of six children and 
by her marriage she has become the mother 
of three children: Charles F., the eldest, 
was born December 4, 1867, and married 
Naioma Lesher, by whom he has two chil- 
dren, Vern and Mabel, and with his fam- 
ily resides in Slayton, Minnesota. Stella, 
born October 6, 1870, is now engaged in 
teaching school in New Castle, Wyoming. 
George B., born October 14, 1883, is attend- 
ing school in Manson, Iowa. 

When Mr. Starr took up his alx)de upon 
his farm in Iowa it was prairie land, with 
no improvements, but with characteristic 
energy he began its de\-elopment and for 
one-third of a century made his home there- 
on. As his financial resources increased he 
added to his possessions until he has a quar- 
ter section of fine land, upon which he placed 
a good residence and substantial barns and 
outbuildings. His labors have been crowned 
with success. He worked earnestly and in- 
defatigably in order to make his farm a pay- 
ing property and now, with a comfortable 
competence acquired througli his earnest ef- 
forts, he is living a retired life in the enjoy- 
ment of a well earned rest. His jxilitical 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



377 



support is given to the Republican party, to 
which he has long" been a faithful adherent 
and he has held several of the township offi- 
ces, being reliable, faithful and active in the 
discharge of his duties. He belongs to the 
Allie Post, Grand Army of the Republic, and 
attends the Methodist Episcopal church. He 
is to-day as true to his duties of citizenship 
as when the Union cause elicited his support 
and he aided in the defense of the stars and 

stripes. 

« » » 

ROBERT H. HEWS, M. D. 

The world instinctively pays deference 
to the man whose success is worthily 
achieved and who has acquired high reputa- 
tion in his chosen calling by merit. We 
pay the highest tributes tOi the heroes who, 
on bloody battlefields win victories and dis- 
play a valor that is the admiration of the 
world. Why should the tribute be withheld 
from those who wage the bloodless battles 
of civil life, who are conquerors in the world 
of business? Greater than in almost any 
line of work is the resix3nsibility that rests 
upon the physician. The issues of life and 
•death are in his hands. A false prescription, 
an unskilled operation may take from man 
that which he prizes above all else — life. The 
physician's power must Ije his nwn; not by 
purchase, by gift or by influence can he 
gain it. He must commence at the very be- 
ginning, learn the rudiments of medicine and 
surgery, and conitinually add to his knowl- 
edge by close study and earnest application 
and gain reputation by merit. If he would 
gain prominence it must come as a result of 
superior skill, knowledge and ability, an<l 
these qualifications are possessed in an emi- 
nent degree by Dr. Hews, who for thirteen 
years has beeii a well-known i)ractitioncr 
of Rockwell Citv. 



The Doctor was born in Trenton, New 
York, July 7, 1845, a son of Hugh and Eliz- 
abeth (Jones) Hews. His paternal grand- 
father, John Hews, was born in W'ales and 
became a contractor and builder. He made 
a specialty of stalte Iniildings and in that 
department of his work gained a reputation 
for superior skill that made him very widely 
known. In 181 8 he crossed the briny deep 
to the new world, locating in Trenton, New 
York, where he spent his remaining days, 
hi? death occurring when he had reached 
the age of forty-five, while his wife, Airs. 
Elizabeth Hews, long surviving him, reached 
the age of sixty-five years. Their son, Hugh 
Hews, the father of the Doctor, was born 
in Carnavanshire, Whales, in 1803, and when 
fifteen years of age accom])anied his parents 
on their emigration to the United States. 
He also became a contractor and builder and 
was a good, thorough workman, who for a 
number of years was actively and promi- 
nently associated with the building inter- 
ests of Trenton, New \'(irk. In his later 
years he followed general farming in that 
locality, but at length retired from active 
business cares and spent his declining days 
in the enjoyment of a well earned rest. He 
married Elizabeth Jones, who was lx>rn in 
Trenton, New York, in 1806, and for many 
years they were numbered among the most 
respected citizens of that place. Mr. Hews 
capably filled a' number of public offices and 
was a worker in the ranks of the Whig 
party until its dissolution, when he joined the 
new Republican party, continuing one of 
its stanch advocates until his death. He was 
also a consistent manber and active worker 
in the Methodist Epi.scopal church and 
served as one of its deacons for many years. 
His death occurred when he had reached the 
advanced age of eighty-seven years and his 
wife at the age of sixty-one years. They 



378 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



were the parents of four sons and three 
daugliters, namely : John, CorneHus, Lewis, 
Robert, Jane, Lydia and Ellen. 

On the maternal side the ancestry can 
be traced back to one of the early families of 
New York. The great-grandfather was a 
highly educated man and a minister of the 
Baptist church, who was widely known as 
"Preacher Jones." He devoted his entire 
life to the holy calling aiid his influence was 
of no restricted order. His son, Robert M. 
Jones, the grandfather of the Doctor, was 
born in Wales. His wife's name was Jane. 
He was extensively engaged in farming, 
owned large tracts O'f land and was the pro- 
prietor of a mill. Coming to* America he 
made his home in the towni of Renison, 
Oneida county. New York, where he died in 
1873, ^t *^'^^' ^S^ °^ ninety-three years, while 
his wife passed away at the age of sixty-five. 
In the town of his nativity Dr. Hews 
\yas reared to manhood and in the district 
schools obtained his early education, which 
was suplemented by an academic course. At 
the age of eighteen he began the study of 
medicine, reading under the direction of Dr. 
Gitteau, while later his preceptor was Dr. 
Price. Subsequently he matriculated in the 
University of Pennsylvania, in which he was 
graduated in the class of 1869, while in 1874 
he was graduated in the University of Buf- 
falo. Dr. Hews then began the practice of 
medicine in Western, Oneida county. New 
York, where he remained in practice for 
twenty years. He gained a liberal patron- 
age, his practice gradually growing until it 
had assumed extensive proportions. He was 
a leading and influential citizen of the com- 
munity and w'as called upon to fill a number 
of local offices, serving as town clerk for ten 
years, as supervisor for two terms and in 
minor positions. In 1889 he came to Rock- 
well Citv, where he has since made his home. 



and he had not long been established here 
before he had gained a good business in the 
line of his profession. He was appointed 
pension examiner under President Cleveland 
and for the past ten years he has held the 
office of insane commissioner. He is the sur- 
geon for the Illinois Central Railroad and 
also the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul 
Railroad Company and is also medical ex- 
aminer for several old line insurance com- 
panies. 

Dr. Hews has been twice married. In 
1872 he wedded Mary H. Stone, who was. 
born in Western. Oneida county, New York, 
and died in 1873. In September, 1875, the 
Doctor was again married, his second union- 
being with Martha Lewis, who was born 
in Steuben coimty. New York, February 15, 
1850, a' daughter of William and Janette. 
Lewis. Her father was a native of Utica, 
New York, and was accounted one of the 
prominent and leading men of his commun- 
ity. He was a progressive farmer and dairy- 
man and kept on his place as many as sev- 
enty-five head oi milch cows. He owned a 
cheese factory and manufactured cheese in 
connection with the operation of his farm. 
For many years he served as justice of the 
peace. In 1861 he was also a member of the 
New York assembly and was closely asso- 
ciated politically with Conkling and other 
distinguished statesmen of that period. He- 
spent a very useful and active life in the 
town of Steulien, Oneida county, and left the- 
impress of his individuality for good upon 
its agricultural ii-iterests and public affairs.. 
He was a stanch Rqjublican, never swerving 
in his allegiance to the party, and was equal- 
ly loyal in his religious connection as a val- 
ued and consistent member of the IMethodist 
church. He reached the advanced age of 
eightv-five years, but his wife passed away 
at the age of sixty-one. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



379 



Unto Dr. Hews and his wife have been 
born a son and daughter. The former, Dr. 
Lewis D. Hews, was born in Western, New 
York, October 14, 1876, and was a student 
in Epworth Seminar)-, of Iowa, in which 
he was graduated wjith the class of 1896. 
He was student in Cornell College, in the 
year 1895-7 and afterward took up the study 
of medicine in the Unis-ersity of Iowa, with 
the class of 1897-8. In 1901 he was gradu- 
ated in the College of Physicians and Sur- 
geons, of Chicago, and is now engaged in 
pradtice with his father in Rockwell City. 
He is a member of Twin Lakes Lodge, F. & 
A. M. and belongs to the Fort Dodge Dis- 
trict Medical Society. In his political affil- 
iations he is a Republican. The daughter, 
Janette E., was boTn in Western, New York, 
January 26, 1880, and is with her parents. 

Dr. Hews, whose name inttroduces this 
record, is an independent Democrat in poli- 
tics, but public ofifice and public honors have 
had little attraction for him. He holds mem- 
bership in Twin Lakes Lodge, F. & A. ]\I., 
at Rockwell City, and is a member of the 
Methodist church. His time has been large- 
ly given to his professional duties and he 
has, through study and research, kept in 
touch with the advanced thought of the day, 
trying earnestly to solve the problems con- 
nected with the restoration of health and 
the prolongation of life, and that he has the 
qublic confidence in an unusual degree is 
indicated by the liberal patronage accorded 

him. 

■ ■*-—*■ • 

\MLLIAM CLARK. 

In an analyzation of the character and 
life work of A\'illiam Clark we note many 
of the characteristics whicli ha\-e marked 
the Scotch nation for manv centuries — the 



perseverance, reliability, energ}' and uncon- 
querable determination toi pursue a course 
that has been marked (xit. It is these sterl- 
ing qualities which have gained to Mr. Clark 
success in life and made him one of the sub- 
stantial and valued citizens of Iowa. He 
now resides on section 11, Lincoln township, 
where he is carrying on general fanning. 

Mr. Clark was born in Roxburyshire,. 
Scotland, on the i6th of February, 1833,, 
and is a son of John and Janette (Lockie) 
Clark, both of whom were natives of Scot- 
land. The mother died in that country and 
soon afterward the father, with our subject,, 
then a little lad of six years, crossed the At- 
lantic to Canada, settling about twenty-five 
miles west of Hamilton, where Mr. Clark 
purchased two hundred and thirty-one acres 
of land. To the development and cultivation 
of his farm he devoted his energies until his 
death, which occurred about 1874. While 
in that country he was again married, his 
second union being with Miss Janette Hope, 
who was born in Scutlaml and died in Can- 
ada in 1900, leaving- four children. 

In the Dominion our subject acquired a 
limited education, and at the age of seven- 
teen he began learning the lilacksmith's 
trade, working- in Stratford. Fle afterward 
conducted a smithy in the county of Huron 
for about ten vears and then \\itli the capital 
he had acquired, purchased a farm in the 
midst of the forest, cleared it of timber and 
transfonned it into rich fields. Ere he left 
Canada he was married in Strath ird. Huron 
county, on his twenty-third l)irthday, tO' Miss 
Jane Angus, who was born in Canada in 
1834, a daughter of John and Ann ( Dalgle- 
ish) Angus, both oif whom were natives of 
Scotland, there remaining until after their 
marriage. Mrs. Clark lias two brothers, one 
residing in .\urora. Illinois, and the other 
in British Columbia. 



38o 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



On leaving Canada Air. Clark came at 
■once to Calhoun county, making the journey 
by train to Boone, and thence by stage route 
to Lake City, which was then a town of 
seven houses. Leaving the hamlet he came 
to what is now Sherman township and se- 
cured a homestead upon which he lived for 
a number of years. Subsequently, however, 
he traded that property for a hotel in Man- 
son, conductnig it for a year. He then rented 
the property for two or three )-ears and when 
that period had elapsed traded his hotel for 
■one hundred and sixty acres of land on sec- 
tion 2, Lincoln township, just across (the 
road fromi where he is now living. After 
leaving the hotel he purchased residence 
property in Manson and conducted a black- 
smith shop, candying on business along that 
line until aboLit seventeen years ago, when 
he took up his abode upon his farm. In 1899 
he purchased the c|uarter-section upon which 
he now resides and is successfully operating 
his land, the well tilled fields returning to 
him golden harvests, while the neat and 
thrifty appearance of the place indicates to 
the passerby that the owner is a progressive 
and practical farmer. He owns altogether 
four hundred acres of land and is assisted 
in its cultivation by his sons. 

In 1900 Mr. Clark was called upon to 
mourn, the loss of his wife, whoi died in 
May of that year, leaving six children : 
John, who is living at home: William, who 
married Lu Smith and resides in Calhoun 
county; Jenmie, also at home; Ann, the 
wife of Lance Moore, of Hansoii; Belle and 
Euthenia. In his social relations Mr. Clark 
is a Mason, belonging to Morning Light 
Lodge, F. & A. M., of Manson, in which he 
is junior warden. He is also a member of 
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and 
in his political affiliations he is a stanch Dem- 
■ocrat, believing firmly in the principles of the 



party. On that ticket he was elected town- 
ship trustee and was one of the first cotm- 
cilmen in Manson. When that town was in- 
corporated he served two terms in that office 
and was also a school director, road super- 
visor for two' temis and street commissioner 
of Manson. When he arrived in Calhoun 
county there had been no township surveys, 
and the work of progress and improvement 
was yet in the future. Since then he has 
watched with interest the establishment of 
townships and school organizations, know- 
ing that it indicates progress and settle- 
ment. As a citizen he is concerned in every- 
thing calculated to benefit his country and 
his own labors have been of material value 
in ad\-ancing the general good. 



EDMUND A. BRIGGS. 

Edmund A. Briggs has been so closely 
identified with agricultural interests in Cal- 
houn count)- and has been so acti\-e in other 
lines of industry that his history forms an 
important chapter in this volume. He re- 
sides on section 18, Sherman township, 
where he owns and operates a valuable 
fann. He was born in Nottinghamshire, 
England, February 6, 1859, and is a son of 
Ednumd and Keziah E. Briggs, both of 
whorni were natives of the same country, the 
former born August 1 1, 1827. and the latter 
on the 4th of March, 1829. They were mar- 
ried in Nottinghamshire and the father de- 
voted his energies to agricultural pursuits. 
In 1869 he sailed for America with his fam- 
ily, arriving on the 4tli of July and making 
his way across the country to Tama City, 
where he remained for a year and a half. In 
1 87 1 he came to Calhoun county and for a 
few \-ears he conducted a lumber \ard here. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



381. 



The greater part of the time, however, was 
devoted to farming- and he became a well- 
known agriculturist of the community, re- 
spected by all for his sterling worth. He 
remained a resident of the county until 1890 
when, witii his wife, he returned to England, 
where they are now living, the father at the 
age of seventy-five years, the mother at the 
age of seventy-three. He was actively asso- 
ciated with public improvement in the coun- 
ty. He built the firsit house on the present 
site of Pomeroy and also built the first school 
house there. During his residence here he 
took a deep interest in everything pertain- 
ing to the general good. He was quite a 
wealthy man and withheld his support from 
no movement which he believed would aid 
in the upbuilding of the county. In their 
family were thirteen! children, eight of whom 
are yet living, namely : Samuel, a car in- 
spector, of Mitchell, South Dakota ; Eliza, 
the wife of Fred Smith, of Pomeroy, Iowa; 
Arthur, who resides in Aurora, Illinois ; Ed- 
mund A., the subject of this review; Al- 
bert, a resident of Fort Dodge, Iowa ; Will- 
iam, who makes his home in Alpena, Michi- 
gan; Cyrus B. and Thomas P., both of whom 
are now living in England. 

Edmund A. Briggs spent the first ten 
years of his life in his native land and then 
accompanied his parents on their emigration 
to America. With them he came to Iowa 
and remained upon his father's farm in Cal- 
houn county until 1880. During the suc- 
ceeding seven years he conducted an eleva- 
tor during the winter months and in the 
summer seasons engaged in farming on his 
own accoimt. He then rented land for a 
year and in 1888 removed to his present 
home. Nearly all of his land was under 
cultivation and is well improved. Many 
rods of tiling have enhanced its arable condi- 
tion and his labors have been rewarded with 



abundant harvests. He keeps in touch with 
the most improved methods of farming and 
his work is bringing tO' him a good annual 
income. 

On Chrisimas day of 1879, in Calhoua 
county, Mr. Briggs was united in marriage 
to Miss Stena Larson, daughter of John and 
Carrie Larson, who were farming people of 
Pocahontas county. Untoi Mr. and Mrs. 
Briggs have been born nine children: Ed- 
mund A., born June 26, 1881 ; William A., 
whose birth occurred on the 15th of March, 
1883 ; John, who was born March 20, 1886; 
Grover C, born August 29, 1888; Carrie E., 
born May 4, 1891 ; Ethel E., whose birth 
occurred on the loth oif March, 1894; Lewis 
C, who was born August i, 1896; Emma 
A., who was born November 20, 1898; and 
H. Ellen M., born January 5, 1902. 

In his political affiliations Mr. Briggs is 
a Democrat and has served as road supervis- 
or, as school director and as constable, dis- 
charging his duties in a very commendable 
manner. He belongs to the Woodmen of the 
World and to the Presbyterian church, and 
is a public-spirited and progressive citizen 
who gives a loyal support to every move- 
ment and measure calculated to prove of 
general good. 



SWAN NELSON. 



The citizenship of America is of a com- 
ple.x. character, but no element has been of 
more value than that which has been furn- 
ished by Sweden. The sons of that king- 
dom, characterized by thrift, enterprise and' 
the f|ualities which make up noble manhood, 
have come to this country determined to 
make the most oi their opixniunities, and' 
with unfaltering purpose they have over- 
come all difficulties and obstacles and ad- 



382 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



vanced steadily to success by perseverance, 
-capable management and bonorable meth- 
ods. Such has been the history of Swan 
Nelson. As the architect of his own for- 
tunes, he has bnilded carefully and his ex- 
ample may well serve as a source of inspira- 
tion and encouragement to others. 

His parents were Nelse and Magnell 
(Nelson) Swanson. They, too, were born 
in Sweden and there their marriage was cele- 
brated. The father was a fanner by occupa- 
tion, following that pursuit throughout his 
entire life. He died in 1870 and the fol- 
lowing year his widow came to America, 
spending her last days in Calhoun county, 
where she died in 1891. They were the par- 
ents of ten children, oif whom two sons and 
a daughter died in infancy, while Nelse died 
in Sweden at the age of twenty-eight years. 
Nellie, who died in April, 1883, was the 
wife of Peter Peterson, who is now living 
in Manson. Betsey became the second wife 
of Peter Peterson and they have a pleasant 
home in Manson. Cecelia is the widow of 
Elias Swanson, Avho died in 1902, at their 
home in IManson. Swan is the next in the 
family. John Olean was married in Moline, 
Illinois, and after the death of his first wife 
he married again, and is now living in Mo- 
line. Peter, a twin brother of John, married 
Augusta Nelson, and they also reside in 
Moline, Illinois. 

To a limited extent Swan Nelson at- 
tended school in Sweden but acquired the 
greater part of his education as he stood by 
the side of his mother's spinning wheel. She 
taught him as best she could, and in the 
school of experience he has also learned val- 
uable lessons. He worked as a fann hand 
in Sweden and there learned and followed 
the wagon-maker's trade. In the year of 
18C9 he came to America, settling in Po- 
■caliontas county, Iowa. Having but ten 



cents remaining when he reached Fort 
Dodge, he purchased a loaf of bread and 
then walked to Bellville township, settling on 
section 34. He secured a homestead claim 
of eighty acres of raw prairie land and with 
detennined purpose undertook the task of 
c-onverting it into a productive farm, fencing 
and improving it. He broke the land with 
a yoke of oxen, and a brother who worked in 
Moline, Illinois, sent him a plow, while. an- 
other brother sent him the money with which 
to purchase a stove. With such sligliit as^ 
sistance he made his start in his new home, 
living in a sod house. As a companion and 
helpmate for the journey of life he chose 
Miss Cecelia Nelson, their marriage being 
celebrated in Fort Dodge, Iowa, September 
13, 1869. The lady was born in Sweden, 
September 6, 1835. They were betrothed 
in tlieir native land and came on the 
same ship to America. Her parents 
were Nelse and Lucy (Anderson) Moun- 
son, both natives of Sweden, in which 
they spent their entire days, the father 
de\oting" his energies to agricultural pur- 
Suits. He died in 1848 but his wife 
survived him many years, passing away in 
1881. In their family were the following 
children : Malinda, who died at the age of 
twentv-three years ; Anna, the deceased wife 
of John Olson, who has since married again 
and resides in Sweden ; John, who died at 
the age of five years ; Andrew, who married 
Betsey Olson and is living in Manson ; In- 
gred, who came to America in 1868, but 
no news has since been heard of her; Carrie, 
who is the widow of Nelse Berg, and re- 
sides in Sweden; Cecelia, the wife of our 
subject ; Peter, who was killed in Hawaii 
about 1890; and Nellie, who died at the age 
of twenty-six years, 

Mr. and Mrs. Nelson took up their 
abode on the homestead fann, living in a 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



383 



sod house in the true manner of the pio- 
neers. He tilled the land with the aid of 
his ox-team and they did their trading in 
Fort Dodge. Mr. Nelson added to his 
landed possessions until he now owns one 
htindred' and si.xty acres in Pocahontas 
county, one hundred and twenty acres in 
Calhoun county and a quarter section in 
McCook cotmty, South Dakota. He labored 
honestly and energetically and annually 
added to his income. In August, 1899, he 
put aside business cares and with the capi- 
tal he had acquired retired to private life. 
He is now living in Manson in the enjoy- 
ment of the fruit of his fonner toil. Eigh- 
teen years pre\'ious to this time he had pur- 
chased three lots in Manson and on this he 
built a handsome modern residence with 
•excellent improvements. It is equipped with 
the latest facilities and accessories, includ- 
ing electric lights and telephone and the 
house is heated with hot air. His new 
home is one of the mo^t comifortable, de- 
sirable and attractive modern residences in 
Calhoun county. Mr. Nelson is a man of 
excellent business ability and executive 
power. He is resourceful and enterpris- 
ing and his wise counsel has proved an 
important factor in the successful con- 
duct of a number of enterprises. He 
was formerly a stockholder in the State 
Bank of Pocahontas comity and is now a 
stockholder in the Central Telephone Com- 
pany. On the loth of May, 1899, '''^ o''" 
ganized the ^lutual Fire & Tornado Asso^ 
ciation, of which he is tiie vice-president 
and he has contributed in a large measure 
to its successful conduct. The business is 
now in a most flcKurishing condition, a large 
number of iK)licies l^eing written each year. 
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Nelson has 
been, blessed with four children, all of whom 
are yet living : Neleus Monnott, hn-n in 



Pocahontas comity, May 4. 1870, is en- 
gaged in real estate, loan and insurance 
business in Salem, South Dakota. He is 
also a justice oif the peace and notary public 
and fraternally he is connected with the 
Odd Fellows' society, in which he lias taken 
the Rebekah degree. In his political af- 
filiation he is a Democrat. August Leon- 
ard, the second son, was born October 8, 
1871, and is now eng'aged in the practive of 
law in Fort Scott, Kansas. Mollie, born 
July 7, 1873. is with her parents. Axel 
Aniiel, born October 2, 1875, was married 
January 4, 1899, to Selma Petrie and they 
reside on his father's farnn in Pocahontas 
county. They have two children : Sebert 
Leroy, jjorn December 28, 1900, and Man- 
gell Ruth, born August 24, 1901. 

Mr. Nelson is a member of the Knights 
of Pythias fraternity and past chancellor 
uf his lodge, while in religious faith he is 
connected with the Swedish Lutheran 
church, of which he is one of the trustees. 
In politics he is a stanch Republican and in 
1884 was elected supervisor of Pocahontas 
county in which office he served for two 
terms. For eighteen years he also was jus- 
tice of the peace and has filled all the town- 
ship offices. He has been notary public and 
for sixteen years was school treasurer. No 
higher testimonial of his faithful and capa- 
ble service can be given 'than the fact that 
he has been so long in office. He is widely 
recognized as one of the leading members 
of the Republican party in Calhoun county 
and his opinions carry weight and influence. 
He is a patriotic citizen placing the coun- 
try's good before partisan feeling and the 
general wellfare before self-aggrandizement. 
He is very popular in jx>litical circles and 
enjo^'s the regard of those who differ from 
him politically. Mr. Nelson is also num- 
bered among the honored pioneers of the 



384 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



county. When he came to this portion of 
Iowa, it was indeed wild and unimproved. 
Deer were still hunted in the locality. Prai- 
rie chicken, duck, turkey and every wild 
game were found plentiful, in fact were so 
numerous that it was a difficult matter to 
raise grain. The courthouse of Pocahontas 
county was then at Rolf and was built by 
John F. Duncoinbe and John Stockdale, who 
received twenty thousand acres of swamp 
land for building the bridge across the Des 
Moines river and building the courthouse. 
No native born ciitizen is more loyal to her 
institutions than is this adopted son, whom 
Sweden sent to the new world. Improving 
his opportunities here and making the most 
of his advantages, he has steadily advanced 
and to-day he stands among the men of af- 
fluence who owe their success to honorable 
business methods. 



OLE ARENSON. 



From the "land of the midnight sun" 
Ole Arenson came to America and has found 
in the business advantages of the new 
world the broader and better opportunities 
which he sought. Beneath the stars and 
stripes he has labored energetically, and his 
efforts have been rewarded by a handsome 
competence. He is a devoted citizen of his 
adopted land and Calhoun county numbers 
him among her progressive farmers. 

Born in Norway, August 28, 1846, he is 
a son of Andrew and Isabel (Olsen) Aren- 
son, the latter a daughter of Peter Olsen. 
The father was a farmer and fisherman and 
died in Norway about 1876, while his wife 
passed away when our subject was only 
about four years old. In their family were 
the following named: Mrs. Oldina Jacob- 



son, a widow living in Norway ; Erik, who 
resides upon the old home farm in that coun- 
try ; Sophia, who became I\Irs. Olson and 
died in Norway; Lottie, the wife of William 
Fragan, a farmer of Winnebago county, 
Iowa ; Ole, of this review ; Christiana, the 
wife of E. Ericson, a farmer of Wiorth 
county, Iowa. 

In the schools of his native land the sub- 
ject of this review pursued his education, 
and at the age of fifteen began following 
the life of a fisherman and sailor, being thus 
employed until twenty-three years of age. In 
1869 he made his way atone to America, for 
he had heard favorable reports of the advan- 
tages which this country offers to young 
men of ambition and determination. Mak- 
ing the long voyage across the Atlantic he 
took up his abode in Iroquois county, Illi- 
nois, where he began working as a farm 
hand for thirteen dollars per month. He 
received that wage for four months and later 
was paid twenty dollars per mondi, being 
employed at farm labor for two years. In 
1 87 1 he rented a farm in the same county, 
continuing its cultivation for five years. In 
1876 he visited his native land, making the 
trip to recuperate. He remained about two 
months and in the autunni returned tO' Iro- 
quois county, Illinois. 

The following year Mr. Arenson kept 
bachelor's hall, but on the i8th of October, 
1878, he was married to Mrs. Annie Larson, 
who was then a widow. By her first hus- 
band she had one child, Charles Larson, who 
was Ixirn August 28, 1877. Mrs. Arenson 
is a native of Sweden and her maiden name 
was Annie Peterson. She is the eldest in a 
family of six children, whose parents were 
Ulrik and Ulrika Peterson, also natives of 
Sweden. Tlie other children of the family 
were : John, a farmer residing in Martin 
county, Minnesota; August and Charley, 




OLE ARENSON. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



387 



wild are li\'ing in Micliigaii; Hulda; and 
Edward, who resides in Martin county, Min- 
nesota. Unto Mr. and Mrs. .A.renson were 
l)orn nine children as follows : Albert, who 
was born October 5, 1879; Amanda, who 
was born February 7, 1881, and was married 
February 6, 1901, to H. V. Julius; Victor, 
who was bom March 31, 1883; Henry, born 
March 24, 1S86: Lawrence, born November 
30, 1888: Warner, born August 17, 1890: 
Ruth, born .\ugust 28, 1891 ; Agnes, born 
January 20, 1895; and Roy, born March 2;^. 
1901. All were born in Iroquois county, 
Illinois, with the exception of Roy, who was 
born in this county. 

Upon the farm which he rented Mr. 
Arenson remained from 1877 until 1895, a 
period of seventeen years, and on the 28th 
of February of the latter year he removed 
to Calhoun county, Lnva, taking up his 
abode upon the farm which he had purchased 
the previous fall. It is a tract of two hun- 
dred and forty acres on sections 2 and 1 1 , 
Greenfield township. Aluch of the land hail 
been placed under cultivation at the time 
he made the purchase, but he had to break 
si.xt)- acres. Tlie place is pleasantly situated 
and upon it are good substantial farm build- 
ings. The fields return to him a good in- 
come and his well directed labors have made 
his farm a productive and valuable one. 
From a humble financial position he has 
arisen to one of affluence. He has encount- 
ered obstacles and discouragements, but with 
resolute spirit he has labored to^ overcome 
these and the result has been the acquirement 
of gratifying success. 

In his political adherence Mr. Arenson 
has always lieen a Rejiublican, and while 
living in Illinois he served as school trustee 
and road supervisor. He takes quite an in- 
terest in church and he and all of his family 
22 



are memliers nf the Methodist Episcopal 
church. For about five years he has been a 
class leader and recently he was elected su- 
perintendent of the Sunday-school. To the 
support of the church he cimtrilnites liber- 
ally, and his infiuence has ever been on the 
side of right. The hope tliat led him to leave 
his native land and seek a home in .\merica 
has been more than realized. He found the 
opportunities he sought and making the 
most of these he steadily worked his way 
upward. He possesses the resolution, perse- 
verance and reliability so characteristic of 
the people of his native land, and his name 
is now enrolled among the best citizens of 
Calhoun countv. 



W. H. WEIKERT. 



W. H. Weikert is a prominent practi- 
tioner of dentistry in Calhoun county, his 
office being located in Pomcroy. Dentistry- 
may be said to be almost unique among other 
occupations, as it is at once a profession, a 
trade and a business. Such being the case, it 
follows that in order to attain the highest 
success in it one must be thoroughly con- 
versant with the theory of the art, must be an 
expert with the many instruments and appli- 
ances incidental to the practice of modern 
dentistry, and must possess business qualifi- 
cations adequate to dealing with the financial 
side of the profession. In all of these partic- 
ulars Dr. Weikert is well qualified, and there- 
fore has attained prestige among the able 
representatives of dentistry in Pomeroy, 
Iowa. 

He was born September 28, 1875, in 
Meigs county, Ohio, his parents being H. W. 
and Laura A. (Owens) Weikert. His father 



388 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



was a grocer in ]\Iarshallto\vn, Iowa, the 
year 1882 witnessing his arrival from Ohio 
in this state. He settled first in Fairfield, 
where he engaged in the grocery business 
and there remained for 'fifteen years, enjoy- 
ing excellent success as a result of his enter- 
prise, honorable dealings and reasonable 
prices. On the expiration of that period he 
removed to ]\Iarshalltown. where he still 
makes his home. In his political affiliations 
he is a Democrat, and as all true American 
citizens should do, keqjs well informed on 
the issues of the day. He was one of a fam- 
ily of two children. The younger, Mary, is 
now deceased. Our subject is also the older 
of two children, his sister, Dorothy J., being 
at home. She was born November 28, 1877. 

In the schools of Fairfield \V. H. Weik- 
ert acquired his primary education and later 
he attended the business college. Determin- 
ing to engage in the practice of dentistry as 
his life work, he entered the dental depart- 
ment of the State University of Iowa, in 
which he was graduated on the 29th of 
March, 1898. On the 15th of April, follow- 
ing, he opened an office in Pomeroy, and is 
now the only representative of the profession 
here. He has marked skill and ability in the 
line of his chosen calling and keeps in touch 
wth the progress that is being made in the 
profession, which has been so great that 
dental work of to-day little resembles that of 
a quarter of a century ago. He uses the most 
modern approved methods and makes a spe- 
cialty of crown and bridge work. His abil- 
ity, carefulness and earnest desire to please 
have secured to him a very liberal patronage, 
which is constantly increasing. He ranks 
among the leading professional men cf this 
part of the state and his patrons came from a 
wide territory. 

The Doctor is a member of the Fort 



Dodge Lodge, Xo. 306, B. P. O. E. He also 
belongs to the Zi-Zi-Fi. a dental fraternity, 
and in his political afiiliations is a Republic- 
an. He is a young man of laudable ambi- 
tion and sterling worth and his genial na- 
ture and his mam' social cjualities have made 
him popular. 



HEXRY TUDGE. 



The subject of this review is a self-made 
man. who, without any extraordinary family 
or pecuniary advantages at the commence- 
ment of life, has battled earnestly and en- 
ergetically and by indomitable courage and 
integrity has achieved both character and 
fortune. By sheer force of will and untir- 
ing effort he has worked his way upward 
and is numbered among the leading business 
men of Calhoun county. He has for a mmi- 
ber of years successfully conducted a pho- 
tographic gallery here, and his proficiency 
in the line of his chosen vocation has secured 
to him a liberal patronage. 

Mr. Judge is numbered among the native 
sons of Calhoun county, his birth having 
occurred in Center townsliip on the nth of 
September, 1870. his parents being William 
and Olive (Davis) Judge, both of whom 
were natives of England in which country 
thev were married. The father was a baker 
in Hastings. England, but believing that bet- 
ter opportunities were afforded in America, 
he came to the new world in 1852 settling 
first in Lock-port, Xew York. He afterward 
removed to Michigan and was employed 
in a tannery at Ann .\rlx>r. Subsequently 
he followed the same pursuit in Galesburg, 
Illinois, and thence came to Iowa in 1866, 
settling in Lake Citv where he remained for 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



389 



a. sliort time. He next secured a homestead 
claim in Center township and was engaged 
in farming until his death, which occurred 
in 1889. About two or three years later his 
widow sold the home fanii and has since 
resided with her son; Henry. In the fam- 
ily were four daughters and two sons : Anna, 
the wife of Thomas Leith, who is living 
four miles south of Manson ; Ella, the wife 
■of Frank Hulett, of Pipestone, Minnesota ; 
George, who married Ella Farrington and 
is living in Adell, Iowa; Henr\', of this 
review; Giarlotte. the wife of Mike Camp- 
bell, of Greenfield township, Calhoun coun- 
ty; and Lizzie, the wife of Ben Campbell, 
who is living near Somers, Calhoun county. 
In the district schools Henr\' Judge be- 
gan his education, later studied in the graded 
schtx)ls of Manson and also spent one year 
in the Davenport Business College. Eight 
years ago he became connected with the 
protographic work in Manson, purchasing 
an interest in a gallery, his partner being 
■G. A. Douglass. After six months he pur- 
chased his partner's interest and has since 
operated the gallerv' in his own name. He 
has an elegantly equipped studio in Manson 
and also one in Pomeroy, where he spends 
two days each week. He thoroughly under- 
stands the photographic art, keeps in touch 
with the latest improvements and processes 
and his work is so satisfactory that it brings 
him an excellent income. 

On the 1st of Septem1>er, 1897, Mr. 
Judge was united in marriage in Manson, to 
Aliss Mattie Renken, who was Ixirn in Po- 
cahontas county, Iowa, July 6, 1873. Her 
parents were natives of Germany, and on 
coming to the United States established 
their hmne uixm a farm in Pocahontas coun- 
ty where they spent their remaining days. 
Mrs. Judge has two brothers and two sis- 
ters living. 



^Ir. and Mrs. Judge ha\-e one son, Ly- 
man, born December 24, 1898. They ha\e 
a pleasant home in Manson and many 
friends there entertain f(jr them high regard. 
Mr. Ji'.dge is a member of both the Masonic 
and Woodmen fraternities and he advocates 
Republican principles but has never sought 
or desired oflice, preferring to devote his 
attention to his business affairs which are 
bringing to him well deserved success. He 
is a gentleman whose courtesy is unfailing, 
whose integrity is above question, and thus 
he has gained high regard. 



JOSEPH HUDSON. 

For twenty years Joseph Hudson has 
been a resident of Iowa, and since 1885 has 
made his home in Pomeroy where he is 
now engaged in the livery business. He was 
born in Winnebago county, Illinois, March 
19, i860, — a son of Thomas and Honora 
(Ouinlan) Hudson, who were of English 
and Irish descent. The father was a farmer 
by occupation, and on taking up his abode 
in Winnebago count}' he purchased a farm 
which he improved, making it a valuable 
tract. He was married in Cherry Valley, 
Illinois, and resided up<in his farm until 
his death which occurred on the 4th of Oc- 
tober, 1S79. His widow still survives him 
anfl yet resides in Winnebago county, mak- 
ing her home with a daughter. They were 
the parents of eleven children, namely : 
Martha, the wife of George Hooker, of Ogle 
county. Illinois; Joseph, the subject of this 
review ; ]\Iary, the wife of Thomas McDon- 
ald, of Winnebago county, Illinois ; George, 
a resident of Janesville. Wisconsin, where 
he is engaged in the insurance business ; 
Xora. who married ITcnrv ^^'allil.■k, of Char- 



39° 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ter Grove, Illinois; Ellen, the wife of Will- 
iam Ryan, of Winnebago county, Illinois; 
Hattie, a resident of Seward, Seward town- 
ship, WinnebagO' county, Illinois ; Agnes, 
who married John Alurphy, of Ogle county, 
Illinois, and three children who died in in- 
fancy. 

Joseph Hudson is indebted to the public- 
school system of Ogle county, Illinois, for 
the educational privileges he enjoyed and 
which iitted him for the practical duties of 
life. He followed farming until 1882 and 
then left the state of his nativity in order to 
make his home in Iowa, taking up his al)ode 
in Pocahontas county, wliere for a year he 
resided with an aunt. He then rented a farm 
in Pocahontas coimty and was a represen- 
tative of the agricultural interests of this 
portion of the state until 1885 when he pur- 
chased a livery barn in Pomeroy and has 
since carried on business along that line. 
Success has usually attended his efforts, al- 
though he has met with some discourage- 
ments and difficulties. On the 6th of July, 
1893, one of his barns was destroyed in the 
cyclone which swept over the city and both 
chimneys of bis house were carried away. 
He also lost a good team of horses which 
was killed in the storm. One of the men 
in Mr. Hudson's anploy had started on a 
drive of seven miles and was three miles 
away from the town when the storm broke 
upon this district. In 1899 all his barns 
were destroyed by fire and he lost practical- 
ly everything be owned, but with character- 
istic energy be set to work to retriex'e bis 
I)ossessions and in the ensuing years he has 
prospered so that he is now the owner of 
a first class liver.y stable and receives an 
excellent patronage as the result of his lion- 
orable dealings and his earnest desire to 
please his customers. 

On the 28th of February, 1885, Mr. 



Hudson was united in marriage tO' Miss 
Emma E. Jentz, who was born in Plattville, 
\\'isconsin, and is a daughter of Fred Jentz. 
In his family were five children: Louisa, 
Fred, John, Frank and Emma. Mr. and 
Mrs. Hudson were married in Pomeroy and 
their union has been blessed with five chil- 
dren, but three of the number died in in^ 
fancy. Those still living- are Qiarles E., 
who was born April 15, 1895, and Mary, 
born May 28, 1892. The parents and chil- 
dren are communicants of St. Mary's Catho- 
lic church, and socially Mr. Hudson is con- 
nected with the Modern Woodmen of Amer- 
ica. He is a man of strong purpose and 
unfaltering determination, and though he 
has met obstacles in his path tO' success, 
he has presevered and has at length reached 
the goal of prosperity. His labors have been 
well directed and he has earned the proud 
American title of a self-made man. 



PETER PETERSON. 

Nature seems to have intended that man 
in his later years should enjoy a rest from 
labor. In early manhood he is vigorous, 
strong, ambitious and helpful ; in the prime 
of life his actions are guided by sound judg- 
ment and matured wisdom that arises from 
experience; but when the evening of life 
comes on, one's powers are not so strong and 
one is not so well fitted to perform the ardu- 
ous labors so necessary to success in any 
calling. It is therefore evident that nature 
intended man to' rest, in some degree, from 
his labors, and this Mr. Peterson is doing. 
So energetically did he conduct his business 
affairs in former years that he accjuircd a 
handsome competence and is now enjnying 
the fruits of bis former toil, occupying- a 
pleasant home in Manson. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



391 



As his name indicates Mr. Peterson is a 
native of Sweden and is one of the worthy 
representatives of that land in Calhonn coun- 
ty. He was born September 28, 1828, and 
is the son of Peter JMobeck, who was also a 
native of Sweden. The father was twice 
married, his first union being with Mar- 
^lerite Oberg, by whom he had two daugh- 
ters and a son. all of whom lived and died 
in Sweden. After the death of his first wife, 
Mr. Mobeck wedded Mrs. Parnella (Mul- 
son) Jones, also a native of Sweden, in 
which land they were married. The father 
there occupied a position similar to that of 
sheritt in this country, acting in that capacity 
for forty consecutive years. He died in 
1840, and the mother of our subject passed 
away in 1858. A half-sister of Mr. Peter- 
son, Mrs. Ellen Lindcjuist, now resides in 
Galesburg, Illinois, luit none of the other 
members of the family are in America. 

Mr. Peterson had no school privileges. 
He has had experience, observation and con- 
tact with his fellow men and they have made 
him well informed. When only twelve years 
of age he began to earn his own living and 
since that time has been dependent entirely 
upon his own efforts. He first worked as a 
farm hand, and. realizing that there was little 
opportunity for advancement in Sweden for 
a poor young man, he resolved to try his 
fortune in the new world. Accordingly, in 
1854, he sailed for America, crossing the 
Atlantic in the sailing vessel. Great Britain, 
which reached the harbor of Boston after a 
pleasant voyage of seven weeks and four 
days. Upiin landing, Mr. Peters(jn resumed 
his journey and crossed the country to 
Henry county, Illinois, where he remained 
for two months, working mi the R(.)ck Island 
railroad. He then went to Moline. Illinois, 
where he was employed in a sawmill.- In 



his native land he had a sweetheart, and 
when he came to America it was with the in- 
tention of earning money to make a home for 
her. She bore the maiden name of Nellie 
Nelson and was born in Sweden, August 2, 
1827, her parents being Nelse Swanson and 
Magnell Nelson, both ui whom were natives 
of Sweden, in which country thev were mar- 
ried. Her father was a carpenter and mason 
and erected a number of large and important 
structures. He also owned e.Ktensive farms. 
His death occurred in 1870, and in 1871 his 
wife came to America with Mrs. Peterson. 
The former died in Calhoun ct)unty in 1891. 
She was the mother of ten children, of whom 
two sons and a daughter died in infancy. 
The others are Nellie, who became the wife 
of Mr. Peterson ; Betsey, who became the 
second wife of Mr. Peterson; Cecelia, the 
wife of Elias Swanson, now deceased ; Nelse. 
wlio died at the age of twenty-eight years; 
Swan, who married Cecelia Nelson: John N. 
Olean, who was twice married, his first wife 
dying in 1883, after which he married again, 
his home being now in Moline, Illinois ; and 
Peter, the twin brother of John, who mar- 
ried Augusta Nelson and also resides in Mo- 
line. 

It was in September, 1856. when Mr. 
Peterson of this review brought his bride to 
America, their marriage being celebrated in 
Moline, Illinois. They remained there for 
eight years, living on the island, where Mr. 
Peterson owned a house and lot, which he 
afterward sold to the government. He then 
purchased three-quarters of an acre of land 
in the city of Moline, there making his home 
for two years, during which time he worked 
in a sawmill. On the expiration of that 
period he came tO' Calhoun county and se- 
cured a government claim of eighty-eight 
acres in Sherman township. It was a tract 



392 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of raw prairie land, with no improvements, 
but he broke the land with four yoke of oxen 
and a twenty- four-inch breaking plow. He 
also built a sod house with an old-fashioned 
fireplace, and in true pioneer style lived for 
several years, but annually was able to add 
more of the comforts and conveniences of 
civilization to his home. 

In 1883 Mr. Peterson was called upon to 
mourn the loss of his wife, who died on the 
20th of April of that year. Her sister Betsey 
took care of her during her illness and on 
the 3d of November, 1883, she gave her 
hand in marriage to ]\Ir. Peterson. She was 
born in Sweden, June 16, 1835. By the first 
marriage there were seven children, but all 
died in childhood. 

For many years Mr. Peterson carried 
on agricultural pursuits, and his well tilled 
fields brought to him a good income. He 
was careful, economical and enterprising 
and year by year he added to his capital until 
he had acquired a very comfortable compe- 
tence. In 1892 he retired from active life 
and removed to iManson to enjoy the fruits 
of his early labors. In the town he pur- 
chased some land and built a modern resi- 
dence, which he now occupies. He at one 
time owned two hundred acres of land, but 
this he has sold. In his political affiliations 
Mr. Peterson is a stalwart Republican and 
has been an active factor in local politics. 
He served as town treasurer and for four- 
teen years was school director. He cast his 
first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln 
and has never yet wavered in his allegiance 
to the principles of the party which so firmly 
upliolds the American institutions. He has 
served as secretary, deacon and trustee in 
the Swedish Lutheran church, of which both 
he and his wife are members, but now leaves 
the official duties to younger men. Mr. 
Peterson is to-day loyal to his adopted land 



and considers that no country on the face of 
the globe is equal to it. He found here the 
business possibilities which he sought, and 
making the most of his opportunities he has 
speedily worked his way upward. Here 
labor is not hampered by caste or class and 
the poor man can improve his conditions if 
he has but detemiination, energy^ and com- 
mon sense. These essential qualities were 
all possessed b}- Mr. Peterson, and with 
steadfast purpose he has worked his way 
upward until he occupies an enviable posi- 
tion among the men of affluence in the com- 
munity and likewise enjoys the highest re- 
gard of all with whom he has been associ- 
ated. 



RICHARD B. LUCAS. 

Richard B. Lucas, a practical and suc- 
cessful farmer of Lake Creek township, was 
born in what is now Logan county, Illinois, 
on the 5th of December, 1830, his parents 
being Jesse K. and Jane (Bowman) Lucas, 
pioneers of that locality and natives of Ohio. 
His paternal grandfather, Abram Lucas, re- 
moved from Ohio to Illinois about 1827, and 
was one of the first settlers- of that part of 
Sangamon county which is now Logan 
county. There he followed farming through- 
out the remainder of his life. Both he and 
his wife, Marcy, lived to quite an advanced 
age. The father of our subject also fol- 
lowed agricultural pursuits and became the 
owner of a good farm of two hundred acres 
in Logan county. Illinois, where the greater 
part of his life was spent. He was a very 
industrious, energetic and reliable man, was 
a "hardshelled" Baptist in religious belief, 
and a Democrat in politics. He was born 
November 8, 1807, and died in Logan coun- 
ty, Illinois, in March, 1874, while his wife 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



393 



was born January 6, 1808, and died about 
185J. This worthy couple were the parents 
of eight children, two sons and six daugh- 
ters, namely: Sarah, deceased, Richard B., 
Abraham H., Mary Jane, Arminda R., Mar- 
tha K., Phoebe K., and Hannah E. 

In the county of his nativity Richard B. 
Lucas was reared to agricultural pursuits 
and assisted his father in the labors of the 
home farm until he attained his majority. 
He received his education in the district 
schools of the neighborhood, learning his 
A B Cs in a little log schoolhouse, where the 
seats were made of slabs. There was a long 
desk on one side of the room, and the build- 
ing was heated by a fireplace. In this rude 
structure he obtained the rudiments of a 
good English education. At that time there 
was plenty of wild game in the locality where 
he lived and he often saw large droves of 
deer. 

When twenty-one years of age ]\Ir. Lu- 
cas started out to make his own way in the 
world, his cash capital consisting of but four 
dollars. At first he worked as a fami hand 
for fifteen dollars per month, and at the end 
of the season had all his wages and the, four 
dollars besides. Later he engaged in farm- 
ing for himself upon rented land and was 
finally able to purchase forty acres in Logan 
county, Illinois, to which he subsequently 
added until he had one hundred and sixty 
acres on selling out there, preparatory to 
coming to Calhoun county, Iowa. Here he 
purchased a farm in 1894, and the follow- 
ing year took up his residence thereon. He 
now has one hundred and sixty acres in Lake 
Creek township, on which he has made most 
of the improvements. He rents a jjart of 
this and operates the remainder himself. 

On the 29th of October, 1857, Mr. Lucas 
led to the marriage altar Miss Martha Nich- 



olson, who was born on the 7th of March, 
1834, in Michigan, where her parents, David 
T. and Ruth (Brown) Nicholson, spent the 
greater part of their lives. Tlieir last years, 
however, were passed in Illinois, where they 
died within twenty-four hours of each other, 
the father at the age of fifty-four years, the 
mother at the age of fifty-three, and both 
were laid to rest in the same grave. !Mr. 
Nicholson made farming his life work. Unto 
Mr. and Mrs. Lucas were born five children, 
as follows: Lydia Jane, John R., Cora A., 
Mary Etta and Jesse T. 

Since casting his first vote Mr. Lucas 
has always al'filiated with the Democratic 
party, and takes a deep interest in political 
affairs, as every true American citizen 
should. He is liberal in his religious views, 
and is highly respected and esteemed by all 
who know him. 



MARSHALL S. BOYCE. 

[Marshall S. Boyce, a well known and 
highly esteemed resident of Manson, was 
born in Kane county, Illinois, in 1848, his 
father, Elias S^ Boyce, being one of the early 
settlers of that locality. He was born in 
Springfield, New Hampshire, November 26, 
1818, and his parents were Adam and Mary 
(Loverin) Boyce, of Wendall, New Hamp- 
shire. The great grandfather of our subject 
was a farmer by occupation and served his 
country in the war of 1812. His wife was a 
native of Corydon, New Hampshire, where 
her birth occurred February i, 1792. In the 
old Granite state Elias S. Boyce was reared 
and educated and then thinking to better his 
financial conditions in the west, he made his 
way to Illinois, locating in Kane county in 



394 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1855. He was three times married, his first 
union being with Chloe Bacon, who died 
November i, 1876. They became the par- 
ents of five children, namely : Ellen, now de- 
ceased; ^Marshall S. ; Sylvanus E. ; Milo G., 
who died ]\Iarch 19, 1887, and Willis L. 
After the death of his first wife Mr. Boyce 
was married, in 1876, to Janette Dodge, and 
in 1887 Harriett Westover became his wife. 
For many years Elias S. Boyce resided in 
Kane county and was a well-known and hon- 
ored pioneer settler of that locality. He 
passed away in Kaneville, in December, 
1899. ^"*^' many friends mourned his loss. 

In the common schools of his native 
county Marshall S. Boyce acquired his edu- 
cation and through the summer months he 
worked upon his father's fann. At the age 
of eighteen he put aside his text books and 
through five succeeding years de^'oted his 
energies entirely to the farm work on the old 
homestead. He was then married on the 
27th of February, 1872, to Miss Ellen Chap- 
man, who was born in Big Rock township, 
Kane county, Illinois, March 3, 1855. Her 
father, James Chapman, was a native of 
Ohio and her mother, who bore the maiden 
name of Lucinda Seavey, was a native of 
New York. They were married in Illinois 
and there the father followed the stone- 
mason's trade. He also became the owner 
of some land, making judicious investments 
of the money he acquired. Both he and his 
wife and their daughter Helen are now de- 
ceased. They came to Iowa in 1884, making 
their home with Mr. Boyce until the death 
of Mr. Chapman (in the i8th of January, 
1887. His widow then returned to Kane 
county, Illinois, and died at the home of her 
daughter in Big Rock, on the nth of De- 
cember, 1899. One sister of Mrs. Boyce is 



still living, Rettie, the wife of Sylvanus 
Boyce of Big Rock. 

Our subject and his wife began their do- 
mestic life in Kane county, Illinois, upon a 
farm which he owned and which remained 
their place of residence for seven years. At 
the end of that time, in 1879, they removed 
to southwestern Kansas, and Mr. Boyce 
there purchased a farm upon which he lived 
for three years, returning thence to Illinois, 
where he remained through the summer. He 
then located in ^\'ebster county, Iowa, where 
he purchased ninety-seven acres of rich land, 
continuing its cultivation until 1895, '^^'l^^ri 
he removed to Manson, after spending the 
summer in Texas and Arkansas. 'Here he 
purchased a comfortable residence, on which 
he is now living retired, enjoying a well 
earned rest. He owns two hundred and 
twenty-eight acres of land in \\'ebster coun- 
ty, Iowa, which is rented and the income 
therefrom supplies him with all of the com- 
forts and many of the luxuries of life. Two 
children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Boyce 
but they lost both. Helen Una died June 7, 
1874, at the age of two and one-half years, 
and Rettie Ella died June 18, 1877, -^^ the 
age of fifteen months. 

In his political views Mr. Boyce is a 
Democrat, and while he manifests his prefer- 
ence for the party by his ballot and keeps 
well informed on the issues of the day, he 
has never sought or desired an office. In his 
home he has a number of interesting heir- 
looms and valuable old books, including a 
Bible, which was printed in 1836. a Book of 
Sermons, jirinted in 1778, and a book alx)ut 
Queen Elizabeth, which was printed in 
1794 and is now yellow with age. 
Through his close application to busi- 
ness and his unremitting diligence, Mr. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



395 



Boyce has gained a comfortable competence 
and is now resting after years of active and 
honorable toil. He has a pleasant home in 
Manson, where he and his wife now reside, 
surrounded by many friends who esteem 
them highly for their genuine worth. 



CHARLES WICKMANN. 

For thirty-si.x years Charles W'ickmann 
has been a resident of Calhoun county and 
has therefore witnessed almost its entire de- 
velopment. He has seen its wild lands 
transformed into beautiful homes and farms, 
its hamlets grow into thriving villages and 
towns, and all of the interests and evidences 
of an advanced civilization introduced. He 
has always borne his part in the work of 
progress and advancement, and is justly en- 
titled to a prominent place on the roll of the 
county's honored pioneers and representa- 
tive citizens. 

Mr. Wickmann was born in Furstentuni, 
Helsen Waldeck, Germany. April 14, 1849, 
and was left fatherless at the age of nine 
months, but his mother, ]\Irs. Christiana 
( Neumann) W'ickmann, who was also born 
in Waldeck, August 16, 1819, is still living 
in her native land. He attended the public 
schools of Germany, where he spent the first 
thirteen years of his life, and then emigrated 
to America, landing in Baltimore, Maryland, 
October 11, 1862. He located in Geneseo, 
Henry county, Illinoi.s, where at first he 
worked on a farm at twenty dollars pev year, 
and during the summer of the following year 
was paid at the rate of sixty dollars per year, 
Avhile during the summer of 1865 he received 
fifteen dollars per month. 

On the 2d of Mav, 1866, I\!r. W'ickmann 



came to Calhoun county, Iowa, and found 
employment on the farm of Joel Olmstead 
at fourteen dollars per nmnth, remaining 
with him one summer. He then went to 
Boonesboro, Iowa, where he hauled coal two 
months, and ne.xt accepted a position as 
"mule whacker" at the coal Ijank at Coal 
Valley, six miles west of Boonesboro on the 
Chicago & Northwestern Railroad. Mr. 
Wickmann dro\e a gin horse, hoisting coal 
fronT the shaft for one year, and the follow- 
ing year engaged in teaming for Hon. John 
F. Duncombe, of Fort Dodge, who owned a 
coal shaft. For five years he followed team- 
ing in the employ of that gentleman, at Holi- 
day Creek, si.x miles southeast of Fort 
Dodge. 

Mr. ^^'ickmann returned to Calhoun 
county in 187 1, and for one summer lived 
all alone in a little shanty eight feet square 
on section 10, township 88, range 31, the 
nearest house being then twenty miles south- 
west of his place, but in the fall of that year 
he returned to Holiday Creek. Webster 
county. In 1S72 he again came to Calhoun 
county, and while his own house was in 
course of construction he lived with his in- 
tended father-in-law, F. C. Loeber, whose 
first home in this countv was a sod house on 
section 12, Greenfield township. 

On the -th of March, 1S72. 'Sir. Wick- 
mann was unitetl in marriage with Miss 
Mary Elizabeth Loclier. the ceremony being 
performed by a justice of the peace in the 
courthouse at Fort Dodge. She was born 
]\Iay 10, 185(1, a daughter of F. C. and Min- 
nie (W'eistmann) Lieber, pioneers of this 
county. For five years her father served as 
a soldier of the Civil war. In his faniih' 
were live children, namely: Rachel, wife of 
Philip Dermer, of Fort Dodge: William, 
who lives near \^incent. Iowa; Marv E.. de- 



396 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ceased wife of our subject; Lydia, wife of 
Joseph Cappett, of Fort Dodge; and F. C, 
Jr., who married Katie Coinburger and re- 
sides in Albert Lea, jMinnesota. 

In 1870 Mr. Wickmann had homestead- 
ed the east half o-f the northwest quarter of 
section 10, Greenfield township, and upon 
that tract he and his wife began their do- 
mestic life. .\t that time they had but two 
neighbors, one living in a dugout about forty 
rods away and the other in a shanty three- 
quarters of a mile from their home. They 
were forced to endure all the hardships and 
privations of frontier life and met with many 
discouragements, but during those trying 
days I\Ir. Wickmann was ably assisted and 
encouraged by his noble wife, who indeed 
proved a true helpmeet to him. With ox- 
teams he broke the wild prairie land and 
placed it under cultivation, planted trees and 
made many other improvements upon the 
place, but after a hard day's w^ork was al- 
ways sure of a pleasant evening at home 
with his wife, who did all in her power to 
make things bright and cheerful. Their 
nearest trading point was Fort Dodge, about 
twentv-two miles distant. The lumber for 
his shanty Mr. Wickmann hauled from a 
place fifteen miles south of Fort Dodge, mak- 
ing in all a distance of thirty-seven miles. 
Tliere were many sloughs to cross and he 
often got stuck in the mud, and would then 
have to unload his wagon and carry the lum- 
l>er on his shoulders to dry ground. The 
luml^er for his present house was bought in 
Fort Dodge. The grass was so high that a 
man on horseback could not be seen, and the 
only way D.xen c<jukl be found after being 
unyoked was to follow up their trails, as the 
animals could not be seen on account of the 
tall grass. Prairie wolves were very numer- 
ous, and hunting was then a common and 



favorite sport, as all kinds of wild game 
abounded, such as cranes, snipes, ducks and 
prairie chickens, which could often be shot 
within sig"ht of the settlers' cabins. The only 
guide from Mr. Wickmann's house was 
what was known as the lone tree, which was 
about si.xteen miles northeast of his place, 
between Rockwell City and Lake City. He 
has driven to the latter city, a distance of 
twenty-five miles, tO' pay his ta.xes, and has 
been out in some of the worst blizzards ever 
seen in Iowa, in which many people were 
frozen to death upon the road. In the spring 
of 1867 he walked to Yates ville, a distance 
of eight miles, when there was four feet of 
snow upon the ground, to settle a lawsuit. 
In those early days farm products were very 
low, and after hauling grain to Fort Dodge 
in 1873, Mr. Wickmann received only eight 
cents per bushel for his oats, although he 
had paid three cents per bushel for threshing 
it, and his corn brought only eleven cents. 
In the same city, in 1879, he was given only 
seven cents a bushel for his oats and eleven 
and a half cents for corn, while butter 
brought but two cents per pound and eggs 
two cents per dozen. The grasshoppers de- 
stroyed much of his crop in 1876, but with 
the exception of the early days when his 
crops were often damaged by those insects 
and by drought, he has steadily prospered in 
his Iowa home, and has had no occasion to 
complain. For several years he has devoted 
considerable attention tO' the raising of fine 
Poland China hogs and a high grade of cat- 
tle, feeding from six to seven carloads every 
winter for the past twenty years. He has 
taken as high as si.xty-one wagon loads of 
hogs to Manson in a day, and he still deals 
extensively in stock, principally hogs. In 
1890 he raised three thousand one hundred 
and eightv bushels of flax from one hundred 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



397 



and ninety-seven acres, for which he re- 
ceived from one dollar and eleven cents to 
one dollar and forty cents per bushel. He is 
now the owner of a beautiful farm of three 
hundred and twenty acres of well improved 
land, pleasantly located one-half mile south- 
east of Knierim. 

By his first marriage Mr. Wickmann had 
nine children, namely: Fred C, who was 
born February 22. 1873. and is now living 
in Knierim: Edwin A., born October 22, 
1874; Charles R., who was born August 15, 
1876, and now has charge of his father's 
farm: Lydia M., born February 28, 1879; 
Wilhelmina C, born September 14, 1880; 
Elizabeth M., born December 3, 1883; Ida 
K., bom January 11, 1886 ; Edna Ruth, born 
May 19, 1888; and one who died in infancy. 
The mother of these children departed tliis 
life February 25, 1894, at the age of thirty- 
seven years, nine months and fifteen days. 
She was a consistent and faithful member of 
the Methodist church, was an affectionate 
wife and loving mother, and, besides her im- 
mediate family, she left many friends to 
mourn her loss. 

Mr. Wickmann was again married in 
Calhoun county, November 26, 1896, his 
second union being with Mrs. Katie M. Kid- 
der, lice Mulhall, who died January 22, 
1898, at the age of thirty-seven years, nine 
months and seven days. On the 31st of 
December, 1900, he was united in marriage 
with Miss Katie Beckrath, the ceremony be- 
ing performed at Fort Dodge, by a German 
]\Iethodist minister. She was born in Ger- 
many, September 10, 1878, and is a daugh- 
ter of Henry and Christina (Justus) Beck- 
rath, who belong tO' a very prominent family 
of that country. She has two sisters still 
living there, Hattie and Isabel, who are very 
popular young ladies. In July, 1897, Mr. 
Wickmann was taken sick with an abscess 



and for some time was confined to his bed, 
being tenderly cared for by his second wife 
until she, too, was stricken with typhoid 
pneumonia and died. He was unable to leave 
his bed for five months after her death. She 
was a native of Queens county, Ireland, and 
a Catholic in religious belief. 

Mr. Wickmann has given his children 
liberal educations and every advantage with- 
in his power. He and his family attend the 
Methodist Episcopal church of Knierim and 
are people of prominence in their commun- 
ity. In September, 1884, accompanied by 
his oldest son, he returned to Germany to 
visit his aged mother, but remained only 
seven days, being homesick for his American 
home. He again crossed the Atlantic in 
September, 1900, and this time spent four 
weeks, visiting his mother and the scenes of 
his boyhood. On the second trip he took 
with him his daughters, Ida and Edna. He 
is entirely devoted to his family, and takes 
great enjoyment in his home. 

Since casting his first presidential vote 
for Samuel J. Tilden in 1.876, Mr. Wick- 
mann has been a stanch supporter of the 
Democratic party and its principles, and 
from 1879 until 1882 rendered his fellow 
citizens effective service as road supervisor. 
He assisted in organizing the district school 
of his neighborhood, and was also instru- 
mental in organizing the Methodist Episco- 
pal church of Knierim, of which he has been 
a trustee for four years, and to which he has 
contributed liberally of his means. He takes 
an active interest in everything tending to 
promote the moral, intellectual or material 
welfare of the town or county, and is recog- 
nized as one of the most valued and useful 
citizens of his community. He has never 
had occasion to regret his emigration tO' the 
new world, for here he has prospered, and is 
to-dav one of the most substantial as well as 



398 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



one of the most highly respected citizens of 
his township, owning property in Knierim 
besides his fine farm. 



WILLIAAI R. SANDY. 

Professor WilHam Ross Sandy is well 
known in educational circles in Calhoun 
county and in this section of the state and 
his influence and efiforts have been a potent 
factor in intellectual development here. He 
is now serving as county superintendent, 
filling the office for the second term. Un- 
der his able administration marked advance- 
ment has been made and the school system 
of the county is one that the citizens regard 
with just pride. 

Professor Sandy is a native of Marion 
county, Iowa, his birth having there occurred 
on the 28th of April, 1868, his parents being- 
Joseph and Atha L. (Goss) Sandy. Both 
were natives of the state of Indiana. The 
grandfather, Henry G. Sandy, was one of 
the early settlers of Iowa and aided in lay- 
ing broad and deep the foundation for its 
present development and progress. The year 
of his arrival was 1856 and he settled in 
Warren coimty, where he secured a tract of 
rich land and engaged in general farming 
and stock-raising. There he spent his re- 
maining days and when he had reached an 
advanced age he, while visiting a son who 
was sick with smallpox, at St. Louis during 
the Civil war, was stricken with the disease 
and died, leaving behind him the record of 
an untarnished name. Joseph Sandy, the 
father of oiu' subject, also came to Iowa 
aboiit 1855 and for some years made his 
home in Warren county. In 1876, however, 
he came to Calhoun coimty and now resides 
near Lake City, where he is engaged in 



agricultural pursuits, being one of the well 
known and progressive farmers of the com- 
munity. Unto him and his wife were born 
ten children: John X., H. Frank, Ira G., 
M. Kate, \\'illiam R., Benjamin B., James 
H., Anna M., Doc L. and Addie G. 

Professor Sandy was reared to manhood 
in the vicinity of Lake City and in the public 
schools of the neighborhood pursued his 
early education, manifesting special aptitude 
in his studies and early showing forth the 
elemental strength of his mind. At the age 
of nineteen he began teaching. Later he 
became a student in the State Normal 
School, in which he pursued a four-years 
course and was then graduated. After 
completing his course, he became principal 
of the schools of Farnhanville, where he re- 
mained in 1895' and 1896 and in 1898 he 
was principal of the ward school of Lake 
City. The following year he was principal 
of the Bagley school and the same year 
was elected county superintendent of the 
school of Calhoun county and filled the office 
so acceptably during his two years' term 
that he was re-elected in 1901 and in the 
present incumbent. Professor Sandy was 
widely recognized as one of the leading 
educators in this part of the country and 
the various schools with which he was con- 
nected made rapid progress under his di- 
rection. He seems to have a full realization 
of the words of Sydney Smith, who said : 
"The real object of education is to give 
children resources that will endure as long 
as life endures ; habits that time will amelior- 
ate, not destroy: occupation that will render 
sickness tolerable, solitude pleasant, age ven- 
erable, life more dignified and useful and 
death less terrible." Since entering upon 
his official duties Professor Sandy has made 
himself acquainted with the educational 
work in all parts of the countv. has intro- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



399 



(luced improvements, brought alx.nit refomis 
and has placed the schools in excellent work- 
ing condition. 

On the 25th of July. 1900, was celebrated 
the marriage of Professor Sandy and Miss 
Maud F. Anderson, a native of Henry conn- 
t\', Iowa, and a daughter of Sanuiel and 
Rebecca Anderson. Socially he is con- 
nected with the Odd Fellows' Lodge of Lake 
City and in his political affiliations he is 
a Republican, but outside the strict path of 
his profession he has never sought office. 
In religious faith he is a Methodist and 
is now sending as steward in the church 
of that denomination in Rockwell City. A 
geivtleman of scholarly tastes and attain- 
ments, of strong mind and broad humani- 
tarian views he is deeply and actively inter- 
ested in all movements and measures which 
he believes will contribute to the general 
good along social, intellectual and and moral 

lines. 

*-—*■ 

ANDREW CLARK. 

The Clark family of which our subject 
is a representative has been connected with 
Iowa through about two-thirds of a century 
and has contributed its full share to ihe 
great work of agriculture which has made 
this state prosperous and gained for it 
leadership as a producer of various farm 
products. Andrew Clark is now an enter- 
prising and progressive agriculturist of Elm 
Grove township, Calhoim county, his home 
being on section ^2, where he has two hun- 
dred and eighty acres of rich land. He 
was born in Delaware county, this state, 
Xovember 27, 1842, and is a brother of Jas- 
per Clark, whose sketch is given on another 
page of this work. In connection therewith 



appears a short account of the family his- 
tory. In the county of his nativity Andrew 
Clark was reared and in the common schools 
obtained his primary education, which was 
supplemented by study in more advanced 
schools. In 1864 he went to Idaho, where 
he was engaged in mining for about a year 
and then returned to Delaware county, Iowa. 

On the 28th of December, 1865, Mr. 
Clark was united in marriage to Miss Mary 
E. Trubey, a native of Pennsylvania, born 
in Center county. Our subject and his wife 
began their domestic life on the old home 
place and he also operated other land in 
Delaware county until five years had passed, 
wheni he removed to Calhoim connty, arriv- 
ing in June, 1871. He purchased forty 
acres of farm land, built a little home and 
at once began the development of his farm. 
When good crops had enabled him to acquire 
more capital he added to his place by addi- 
tional purchase from time to time until he 
now owns two hundred' and eighty acres, 
constituting one of the valuable fanns in this 
portion of the county. The little home has 
long since been replaced by a more com- 
modious and substantial residence, and fruit 
and shade trees have been planted. In fact 
he has made his farm a very valuable prop- 
erty and in addition to^ the cultivation of his 
fields he engages in the raising of stock, both 
branches of his business returning to him 
a good income. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Clark ha\e been born 
four sons and two daughters : Mrs. Clark 
and five of' her children are members of the 
United Brethren church, of Yetter. In his 
XX)litical affiliations Mr. Clark has Ijeen a 
life long Democrat, supporting each presi- 
dential candidate of the party since he cast 
his first vote for Hon. George B. McClel- 
lan, in 1864. He has never sought or de- 



400 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



sired office, though in response to the so- 
licitation of his fellow townsmen he has 
served as township trustee and justice of 
the peace. He has been a delegate to the 
county and state conventions of his party 
and delights in its success because he be- 
lie\-es so finnly in its principles. His resi- 
dence in Calhoun county covers a period of 
thirty-one years, during which time he lias 
co-operated in many movements for the gen- 
eral good. His worth is widely acknowl- 
edged and everyone who knows him enter- 
tains for him high regard because his life 
has been honorable, industrious and useful. 



WIXFIELD S. FLECK. 

Winfield S. Fleck, who is engaged in 
general farming on section 24, Elm Grove 
township, is one of the worthy citizens that 
Pennsylvania has furnished to the Hawkeye 
state. His birth occurred in Blair county, 
Pennsylvania, November 22, 1848, and he 
represents one of the pioneer families of that 
state and of Maryland. The grandfather 
was Abraham Fleck and his father William 
Fleck. The latter was born in Pennsylvania 
and there carried on farming for many years. 
As a companion and helpmate for the jour- 
ney of life he chose Maria Smith, who was 
born in the Keystone state, where her father, 
Abraham Smith, located at an early date. 
He served as a soldier of the war of 1812, 
while the father of our subject was one of the 
brave heroes of the Rebellion and died dur- 
ing the progress of hostilities, passing away 
at San Antonio, Texas, in 1865. His wife 
survived him fur many years, carefully 
reared her family and passed away on the 
1st of December, 1901. 



Winfield S. Fleck spent the first seven- 
teen years of his life in Pennsylvania and in 
the common schools acquired his education. 
At the time of the Civil war he strongly en- 
dorsed the attitude of the Union and in July, 
1864, he enlisted for one year's service as a 
member of the first Battalion of the Penn- 
sylvania Infantry. He was only about sev- 
enteen years of age when with his regiment 
he was sent into^ Virginia and did guard 
and picket duty, remaining in the Old Do- 
minion until the expiration of his term of 
service, when he was lionorably discharged 
in July, 1865, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. 

The same year Mr. Fleck came to the 
Mississippi where he located first in Lee 
county, Illinois, where he was employed as a 
farm hand for about five years. In 1870 he 
moved to Iowa, taking up his abode in Cedar 
county, where he also engaged in farm work 
for a few years. He was married in Scott 
county, Iowa, September 20, 1874, to Rachel 
A. Andre, a native of Ohio, born in Colum- 
biana county, and the daughter of John L. 
.\ndre, who was likewise bom in the Buck- 
eye state. Mrs. Fleck spent the first twelve 
years of her girlhood in Ohio and in 1865 
accompanied her parents on their removal to 
Scott county. After the marriage of our 
subject and his wife, they resided with Mrs. 
Andre for five years on account of her 
health, she being an invjjid for many years, 
and then removed to Cedar county, Iowa, 
where they spent two years. In 1882 they 
arri\-ed in Calhoun county and Mr. Fleck 
located on one Inmdred and sixty acres of 
raw land. When he had erected a residence 
for his family he at once began the task of 
breaking his land and placing it under cul- 
ti\ation. He also had other improvements, 
including a good barn, cribs and granaries. 
Fruit trees yield their products in season and 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



401 



tlie Beltis now annually return to hini rich 
harvests. Modern improvements make this 
one of the leading farm properties in Elm 
Grove township and the owner is accounted 
one of the most progressive agriculturists. 
j\Ir. and Mrs. Fleck have one son, 
Charles W., who is married and resides in 
Lake City. He is now in the railroad service 
of the Northwestern Compan_\'. In politics 
]\Ir. Fleck is a stalwart Republican and cast 
his first vote for General Grant, since which 
time he has supported each presidential nom- 
inee of the party. He takes quite an active 
]3art in local politics and also attends the 
elections and conventions. For five years he 
has served as township trustee, was town- 
ship clerk for six years and for some time 
has been a member of the school board. He 
has been president, clerk and treasurer of 
his school district and has done everything 
in his power to promote the cause of educa- 
tion. He is a member of the Masonic fra- 
ternity, belonging to the blue lodge in Lake 
City and also holds membership relations 
with the Grand Army Post there. His life 
is as an open book which all may read, for 
there has been nothing in his career that he 
wishes to cancel. In business he is honor- 
able, in citizenship is loyal and in private 
life is true to all relations and duties de- 
volving upon him. 



CHARLES ROSE. 

Sweden has furnished to Calhoun county 
many citizens of worth who have contrib- 
uted to its progress and improvement and 
taking advantage of the opportunities af- 
forded in the new world they have worked 
their way upward to positions of promi- 



nence. Such is the history of Charles Rose, 
who was born in Sund Oster Gotland, Swe- 
den. September 11, 1851, his parents being 
F*eter and Maggie (Olsonj Rose, who were 
also natives of the same locality. The father 
was a farmer and mechanic and after carrv- 
ing on business for a number of years in his 
native land he resoh-ed to seek a home and 
fortune in the new world. It was in 1868 
that with his family he took passage on a 
westward bound vessel and crossed the At- 
lantic to the LTnited States. His destination 
was JefTersLin county. Iowa, and there he 
resided for a short time, his death occurring 
in Wapello county in 1869. His wife, long 
sur\-iving him, passed away in 1900, at the 
home of our subject. They were the par- 
ents of four children, all of whom are liv- 
ing: Charles, the subject of rhis review; 
Charlotte, the wife of S. A. Johnson, of 
Brooklyn, Iowa; Clara, wife of Nels Peter- 
son, a resident of ]\Iarshantown. Iowa ; and 
Oscar, who married Xettie Peterson, and re- 
sides in Ottumwa. Iowa. 

Charles Rose has a vivid recollection of 
his native district, for he spent seventeen 
years of his life there, and then with his 
parents came to America. Upon the death 
of his father the burden of the family sup- 
port largely devolved upon him. He first 
rented land in Wapello county, the owner 
of the farm furnishing all necessary supplies 
and in return received two-thirds of the 
profit. It was in this way that Mr. Rose ob- 
tained a start in his business life. He re- 
mained in Wapello county for seven years 
and afterward .spent eleven years in Powe- 
shiek county, where he rented land of the 
same man who had owned the Calhoun coun- 
ty property, which is now owned by Mr. 
Rose. At length his labors brought to him 
capital sufficient to enable him to purchase 



402 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



property, and he Ijecame the owner of tlie 
farm upon which he now resides, in 1883. 
In 1887 li^ took up his abode thereon. It is 
situated in Reading townsliip, not far from 
the village of Farnhamville. W'lien he took 
possession it was raw prairie land, entirely 
destitute of improvements, and everything 
upon the place is an indication and proof 
of his enterprise and progressive spirit. He 
has purchased an additional tract of one 
hundred and sixty acres and now owns a 
half-section. He has a pleasant residence, 
good barns and outbuildings and all modern 
accessories for carrying- on farm work. 
About forty-five acres of his land are planted 
to corn, and his grain fields cover one hun- 
dred acres, while in addition he has rich 
meadows and pasture lands. He keeps from 
fifty to sixty head of cattle, mostly short- 
horns of the Durham breed, and in his farm- 
ing operations he is meeting with creditable 
and well merited prosperity. 

On the 9th of March. 1880. Air. Rose 
was united in marriage to Miss Emma 
Johnson, who was born in Sweden, in 1862, 
and is a daughter of Jonas Johnson. They 
now have se^'en children, as follows : Frank ; 
David ; Efiie ; Nellie ; Helena ; Oliver ; and 
Sadie. Mr. Rose votes for the Republican 
party, having always endorsed its principles 
since he became a naturalized citizen of the 
new world. He belongs to the Methodist 
church, which finds in him a consistent and 
acti\-e memlier. The thrift, perseverance 
and adaptability so characteristic of his race 
are manifest in his career and there is no 
more loyal citizen of Calhoun county than 
this adopted son tliat Sweden has sent to 
the new world. His life records prove con- 
clusivelv that prc)speritv will follow earnest 
effort if it is guided by gckod business judg- 
ment, for when he came to the United States 



he was without capital and all that he has 
acquired has come to him in return for his 
energetic labor. 



HENRY PARSONS. 

Center township probably has no more 
influential or popular citizen than the gentle- 
man whose name introduces this sketch. He 
makes his home on section 20, and has been 
prominently identified with the agricultural 
interests of the county for several years. A 
native of England, he was bom in Surrey 
county, Februar}- 12, 1857, and was eleven 
years of age when he left that country and 
came to the new world in the summer of 
1868, in company with his parents, Henry 
and Hannah (New) Parsons. After spend- 
ing five weeks in Chicago the family located 
in Sterling, Illinois, where they made their 
home for one winter. In the meantime the 
father purchased one hundred and sixty 
acres of wild land in Lee county. Illinois, 
near Di.xon, the county seat, and when the 
Illinois Central Railroad was built through 
that section of the state the town of Har- 
mon was established within a rpiarter of a 
mile from his residence. There he contin- 
ued to live until 1895, when he removed to 
Wheaton, Illinois, where he now resides. 

Mr. Pars<_)ns, of this review, remained 
under the parental roof until he attained his 
majority, and then came to Calhoun county, 
Iowa, winch has since been his home. He 
removed to Cedar township in March, 1893. 
His first purchase of land consisted of a wild 
tract of eightv acres in Cedar township, this 
countv, but as the vears ha\'c jiassed and he 
has prospered in his farming operations he 
has added to his property from time to time 



31 




I 



HENRY PARSONS. 




MRS. HENRY PARSONS. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



407 



as his financial resources have permitted, and 
to-day owns three hundred and twenty acres 
of weU imprcived land under a iiigh state of 
cuhivation. He feeds considerable stock 
for market, and is a breeder of Poland China 
hogs, Shropshire sheep, and Hereford and 
short-horn cattle. Success has crowned his 
well directed efforts, and he is to-day one of 
the most prosperous and substantial citizens 
of his community. 

On the 22d of January, 1S80, was cele- 
brated the marriage ui Mr. Parsons and 
Miss Armeda P. Clutter, who was born in 
Athens county, Ohio, July 20, i860, and was 
five years old when she came to Iowa with 
her parents. After residing in Marion coun- 
ty for a time the family came to Calhoun 
county in 1875, and here the parents lx)th 
died. Eight children bless the union of Mr. 
and Mrs. Parsons, namely : Sarah B., born 
January 5, 1881 ; Hannah M., May 6, 1883; 
Nellie M.. June 25, 1885; Mary J.. June 1 1, 
1887; William H., December 26, 1889; 
Olive L., October 5, 1892; Mabel A., May 
28, 1895 ; and Edna A., April 6, 1898. The 
three oldest daughters attended the graded 
schools of Rockwell City and became well 
qualified to teach. Sarah B., now the wife 
of Le Roy Barr, a farmer of this county, 
taught in the district schools for two years 
prior to her marriage, and Hannah M. is 
now teaching her second term. Both are 
members of the Presbyterian church, to 
which their mother also belongs. 

Mr. Parsons takes an active interest in 
educational affairs, and has been an efiicient 
member of the school board of Cedar town- 
ship, this county, for eight years. He has 
also filled the office of township trustee, serv- 
ing in that capacity at the present time. 
Since its organization he has been a promi- 
nent member of the Farmers Mutual Insur- 
ance Association of Webster and adjoining 

23 



counties, and is now one of the directors. 
He was president of the Farmers Alliance 
of Cedar township for four years, was also 
secretary of the Farmers Institute held at 
Rockwell City, February 11 and 12, 1902, 
and is one of the leading and representative 
citizens of his community. 



MRS. LOUISA H. YATES. 

While histor}' usually deals with the 
labors of men because they are more active 
in business and political life, the part which 
wiimen play is no less important, though of 
a more quiet and retired nature. Great 
credit is certainly due to the pioneer women 
who accompanied fathers and husbands to 
the wild west and made for the men of the 
household comfortable homes upon the fron- 
tier, meeting with unfiinching courage and 
uncomplainingly the hardships and trials 
which fell to the lot of all who advanced be- 
}-ond the older districts and went to the wild 
west to reclaim it for purposes of cixiliza- 
tion. Mrs. Louisa H. Yates is one of the 
honored pioneer women of Calhoun county, 
and the widow of the first settler in Lincoln 
township. She still resides on section 16, 
in this township, respected by all who know 
her and belo\-ed by many friends. She was 
born in Pickaway county, Ohio, June 20, 
1830, a daugliter of Philip and Sarah 
(Rose) Wiggins, the former a native of 
Pennsylvania, and the latter of New York. 
Her parents remained in Pickaway county 
until called to the home beyond, the father 
devoting his energies to agricultural pur- 
suits. In his political affiliations he was a 
Democrat, and both he and his wife were' 
members of the Methodist Eiiiscopal church. 
The father had thrice married, but had no 



4o8 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



children by his first union. Unto the mother 
of Mrs. Yates were born six children, of 
whom five are yet living: James, a resi- 
dent of Kansas ; Mrs. ]Martha Poe, of Ala- 
bama; Mrs. John Jackson, of Missouri; 
Mary ; and Mrs. Yates. After the death of 
the mother of this family, Mr. Wiggins was 
again married, his third union being with 
Mary Ulm, by whom he had one child, As- 
bury, who is now in Ohio. 

Louisa H. Wiggins spent her girlhood 
davs upon the home farm in the Buckeye 
state. She assisted in the duties of the 
household and her training in farm work 
well fitted her to take charge of her own 
home at the time of her marriage. On the 
23d of July, 1852. in Pickaway county, she 
gave her hand and heart at the marriage 
altar to Joseph Yates, who was born in that 
county in 1825, a son of David and Chris- 
tina Yates, who spent their entire lives in 
Ohio. Joseph Yates had limited educational 
pri\ileges, yet he possessed common sense, 
good business alnlity and determination, and 
with these cpialities he won success in busi- 
ness. For two years after his marriage he 
remained in Ohio and then accompanied by 
his wife removed to Illinois, settling near 
Galesburg, where he secured a homestead 
claim, residing thereon for eighteen years, 
during which time he transformed the prop- 
erty into a valuable farm. On the expira- 
tion of that period he sold his property in 
Illinois and came to Calhoun county, arriv- 
ing in the fall of 1865. The winter, how- 
ever, was passed at Nevada, Story county, 
where Mr. Yates had a sister living. For 
one winter they also resided in Fort Dodge, 
but in the meantime Mr. Yates entered a 
claim and erected thereon a story and a half 
house, twenty by twenty-four feet. This 
was the first frame house built in Lincoln 



township and stood on the old Fort Dodge 
and Sioux City stage line. At the recjuest 
of people who came later Air. Yates estab- 
lished a relay station in the stage route and 
also a postoffice in his home, the latter be- 
ing maintained until the building of the Illi- 
nois Central Railroad. His home farm at 
first comprised eighty acres, after which he 
afterward added by purchase another tract 
of eighty acres. Energetic and determined, 
he began the development of his land and 
acre after acre was placed under the plow, 
making it a valuable farm which returned 
to the owner a golden tribute for the care, 
and labor he bestowed upon it. 

Air. Yates was quite prominent in politi- 
cal afifairs in pioneer days and all the counts- 
meetings were held in his home. At one 
of these meetings over one hundred people 
were entertained in his home on one night. 
All the meetings of a religious character also 
convened in the Yates household and the 
neighborhood was known as Yatesville for 
about three years. Gradually the country 
became settled. Air. Yates taking an import- 
ant part in the development of the prairie 
land and doing all in his power to promote 
public progress and improvement. The 
home of our subject and his wife was blessed 
with five children, all of whom yet survive 
^ and are still living in the neighborhood. 
These are : Philip Cass,- who resides on the 
old home farm: Benjamin P.. who married 
Rosa Robinson and is ]i\-ing in Lincoln 
township: Thomas O., who' assists his eldest 
Ijrother in the operation of the home farm ; 
Emma, wlu) married O. O. Brown and is 
now the wife of George Ebersole, of Alan- 
son : and Press, who married Rosa Gill and 
is living in Lincoln township. 

At an early date Joseph Yates was a 
member of the Grange and took an active 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



409 



interest in every movement tliat tended to 
promote the welfare of his community and 
aided in its. substantial unl)iiilding. Both 
he and his wife held membership in the 
Methodist Episcopal church and his life was 
e\-er upright and honorable, commending 
him to the confidence and respect of all with 
whom he was associated. He died after a 
long illness, passing away on the 12th of 
July, 1886, and the community mourns the 
loss of an honored pioneer and valued citi- 
zen, and his family a loving husband and 
father. After the death of her husband Airs. 
Yates sold the old home place and purchased 
eightv acres of land on section 16, Lincoln 
township, where she is now living with her 
two sons, Philip and Thomas. The history 
of pioneer life in this county is familiar to 
her and she has a wide accjuaintance, espe- 
cially among those who have long been resi- 
dents of this portion of the state. 



JAMES BRAGINTON. 

More than a century ago George Wash- 
ington said "agriculture is the most useful 
as well as the most honiorable jyursuit of 
man," and the truth of tliis statement is as 
evident to-day as when it was uttered. 
There is less competition and therefore less 
opixirtunity for tlie jealousies, the o\'er- 
reaching and the dishonorable methods 
which so often appear in other lines of busi- 
ness. Mr. Braginton was long a repre- 
sentative of farming interests in Calhoun 
county. He worked in the fields and in the 
meadows, and with unremitting industry he 
pursued his labors until success crowned his 
efforts and he was enabled to put aside busi- 
ness care. 



Air. Braginton is a native of Connecti- 
cut, his birth having there occurred Jan- 
uary 7, 1849. His parents. William and 
Mary (Goodyear) Braginton, were both na- 
tives of England and when they had reached 
adult age were tliere married. The father 
engaged in the weaving of brussels carpet, 
thus providing for the comforts of his fam- 
ily. About 1835 Mr. and Mrs. Braginton 
sailed for America and after a voyage of 
about seven weeks reached the harbor of 
New York, the sailing vessel on which they 
had taken passage weighing anchor at Liver- 
pool. They did not remain in the metrop- 
olis, however, but made their way to Thomp- 
sonville, Connecticut, and the father still 
continued to follow his trade of carpet-mak- 
ing. About 1847 1''^ removed to Portage 
county, Ohio, and there he engaged in farm- 
ing. The year 1865 witnessed his arrival in 
Cass county, Michigan, where he purchased 
land and engaged in the tilling of the soil 
until his life's labors were ended in death in 
the year 1875. His widow survived him. 



passing away January 16, 189; 



His 



early political support was given the Demo- 
cracv, but when Abraham Lincoln be- 
came the standard bearer of the new Re- 
publican party he joined its ranks and con- 
tinued ever afterward one of its stanch sup- 
porters. Both he and his wife held member- 
ship in the E]Mscopalian church. This 
worthy couple were the parents of tweh'e 
children, ten of whom reached mature years, 
namely: Mary A., the wife of Albert 
Comey, a resident of Akron, Ohio; Edwin, 
who is married and resides in Crown Point. 
Indiana ; Rosa, who married Chester A. 
Field and lives in Detroit, Michigan ; Martha 
A., who became the wife of George E. 
Brown and lives in Red Oak, Iowa; Eliza- 
beth, the wife of lunerv Field, deceased, and 



4to 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



makes her home in Council Bluffs, Iowa ; 
William, who married Emma Truax, and re- 
sides in Bremen. Indiana, where he is en- 
gaged in contracting and building: John W., 
who married Frances Knorr, and passed 
away in Grand Rapids, Michigan, having 
been engaged in the mercantile business ; 
Stephen H.. now deceased, who married 
Sarah Leland and resided in Grand Rapids, 
?klichigan; George F., whO' served his coun- 
trv in the Civil war and when twenty-one 
years of age was shot by a guerrilla sharp- 
shooter, and upon being brought to Nash- 
ville passed away there; and James, the sul> 
ject of this review. 

James Braginton pursued his elementary 
education in the district schools of Ohio and 
later continued his studies in Cass county. 
Michigan, but his advantages in that direc- 
tion were meager, for his services were 
needed on the farm and the schools of that 
dav had not attained the proficiency of the 
present. At the age of eighteen he put aside 
his text-books and began farming, following 
the pursuit to which he had been reared and 
which he has made his life work. After 
his marriage he remained in Michigan for 
seven years and then came to Iowa in 1879. 
settling in Lincoln township, Calhoun coun- 
ty, where he had previously purchased one 
hundred and sixty acres of raw prairie land. 
This he fenced and improved and part of his 
land was broken with ox-teams. He erected 
a residence, built barns and outlnhldings and 
transformed into a \-aluable place the wild 
tract of land of which he has become owner 
when he came to the county. After seven 
years' residence thereon, he purchased an- 
other farm on what is now Main street in 
Manson. and there he lived for seven years. 
In his agricultural pursuits he has been very 
successful and annually has added to his in- 
come until he is now the possessor of a most 



handsome competence. For the past twelve 
years he has been quite extensively engaged 
in buying, feeding and shipping cattle. As 
his financial resources ha\-e increased he has 
added to his landed possessions from time 
to time, until he now has twelve hundred 
acres in Calhoun county, all improved. His 
history shows what may be accomplished 
when one has the will to dare and to do. 
On the 14th of January, 1872, in White 
Pigeon, Michigan. Mr. Braginton was mar- 
ried to Miss Lotta Buftington, who was born 
in Xew York October 15, 1853, and is a 
daughter of P. and Charlotte (Moore) 
Buffington, the former a native of Penn- 
sylvania, and the latter of Massachusetts. 
Four children have been born unto our sub- 
ject and his wife. George Frederick, born 
December 28, 1873, now resides on a farm 
in Lincoln township, Calhoun county. He 
married Anna Greenside and they have two 
children, Lotta and ]\Iary. Charles, the sec- 
ond son, died at the age of eight weeks. 
Arthur James, was born November 30. 
1S75, and after his graduation in the high 
school at Manson he entered Cornell Col- 
lege, in which he was also graduated. Sub- 
sequently he studied in Berlin and became 
a minister of the Methodist Episcopal 
church. While traveling in Europe he vis- 
ited the old village where his grandparents 
were born, it being located a few miles west 
of Banbury, in Northamptonshire, England. 
At a place called Thro.xton he learned that 
the Braginton family once lived in Middle- 
ton, Chenev, whither he went and found 
some relatives of the family. The old stone 
house occupied by the Bragintons is still 
standing there, and the lane leading to it is 
yet called Braginton road. Arthur J. Brag- 
inton was a young man of sciiolarly attain- 
ments, broad learning and deep piety. De- 
termining to devote his life to work of the 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



411 



ministry, he prepared for this holy calling 
and became pastor of the church at Kamrar, 
Iowa. He was married on Christmas day of 
19CX5 to Miss Julia E. Hobbs, and on the 
29th of April, 1 90 1, he was called to the 
home prepared ior the righteous. Few men 
of his years have attained such prominence 
in the ministry or exercised greater influ- 
ence for good. His life was noble, his ac- 
tions manly and sincere, and all that he did 
was permeated with a desire to aid his fel- 
low men and advance the cause of morality. 
Since his death his young wife has taken up 
religious work and is a deaconess in the 
Ladies Seminary at Aurora, Illinois. His 
loss was a heavy one to^ the church, for he 
gave promise of great usefulness as a min- 
ister of the gospel, being zealous, earnest 
and faithful. But to his young wife and his 
parents came the greatest affliction ; the one 
mouring the loss of a loving husband, the 
parents a tender son, who was ever regard- 
ful of their welfare and happiness. His 
death was the greatest cloud that has ever 
fallen o\er the home of Mr. and Airs. Brag- 
inton, but comfort comes to them in the 
thought of his noble life, while his memory 
is enshrined in the hearts of all who knew 
him. Charles W., the youngest son of the 
family, was born April 10. 1878, and is now 
a student in Cornell, his home being with 
his parents. 

Mr. Braginton gives his political support 
to the Republican party, but the honors and 
emoluments of office have had no attraction 
for him, as he has e\er preferred to give 
his attention to his business interests. His 
wife is a member of the Methodist Epis- 
copal church, and in Calhoun county no 
one enjoys to a higher degree the respect 
and esteem of their friends than do Mr. and 
Mrs. Braginton. He is not only prosperous 



in business, but is influential, and as a citi- 
zen has supported all measures and move- 
ments for the general good. 



C. C. HOLTORF. 



C. C. Holtorf is one of the extensive 
land owners and most progressive farmers 
of Calhoun county, and his life record is 
creditable alike to the land of his birth and 
to the land of his adoption. He was born 
in Holstein, Germany, March 25, 1838, his 
parents being Henry and Antje (Clausen) 
Holtorf, who were also natives of Holstein. 
The father d'.ed in that country at the age 
of fifty-eight years, his wife passing away 
long previous, her death occurring when she 
was only tliirty-two years of age. They 
were the parents of five children, of whom 
the subject of this review is the eldest. Jer- 
gen, the second, is now deceased ; Glaus is 
living upon a farm near Hubbard, Minne- 
sota; Henry is living in Holstein, Germany; 
and T^Iargaret is the wife of John Rossman, 
of Fort Dodge, Iowa. 

In the schools of his native province C. 
C. Holtorf acquired a good education and 
then started out to make his own way in the 
world, working as a farm hand for H. H. 
Aggers for fortv-two ilollars per year. He 
was employed in that capacity for tight 
years and then rented the land, which he op- 
erated for three years on his own account, 
but the reports he had heard concerning 
America and the opportunities here afforded 
for business advancement led him to desire 
to seek a home in "the land of the free." 
and accordingly he sailed for the new world 
in 1869. 

In the meantime — on the 22d of August, 



412 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1865, — Mr. Holtorf was married in Hol- 
stein to Miss Margaret Spies, and with his 
wife and three cliildren he started for Amer- 
ica, first locating at Belle Plaine, in Benton 
county. Iowa. There he remained for a 
short time and afterward came to Calhoun 
county, arriving in ^lay, 1869. Here he se- 
cured a homestead claim of eighty acres on 
section 10. it being the north half of the west 
quarter. They were the first German family 
to settle in Butler township, Calhoun coun- 
ty. The country was wild and unimproved. 
The land was in its primitive condition, just 
as it came from the hand of nature and was 
broken with sloughs. \\'ith characteristic 
energ}-, liowever. ]\lr. Holtorf began the de- 
velopment of a farm and as his financial re- 
sources increased he added to his property 
until he now has seven hundred and twenty 
acres of valuable land, the greater part of 
which is under a high state of cultivation. It 
is on sections 4. 5. 8 and 9. Much of it has 
been tiled and all modern improvements 
have been added. ]\Iost of his children live 
near him and his own home was on the 
southeast quarter of section 4, Butler town- 
ship, but in the spring of 1902 he removed to 
Pomeroy, where he had built a handsome 
modern residence. In the spring of 1900 
]\Ir. Holtorf and wife took a pleasure trip 
to the old country, visiting the old home. 
They remained four months, having a most 
enjoyable trip. He saw the first house put 
up in Pomeroy. In the early days of his 
residence here he had to get all his supplies 
from Fort Dodge, and for the first lumber 
whicii he bought he had to pay forty-four 
dollars per thousand feet. In pioneer times 
before a preacher had located here he would 
take his Bible to the homes of the different 
German families of the neighlx)rhood and 
would read the scriptures and hold services. 



thus contributing to the moral development 
of the community. His home was and al- 
ways has been noted for its generous hos- 
pitality and in the early days he entertained 
many of the German people seeking homes 
in this locality, giving to them such aid as 
he could in their selection of land. He aided 
in organizing the German Lutheran church, 
was one of its trustees for many years and 
assisted in every way possible the work of 
the church and the upbuilding of the cause. 

Lhito Mr. and Mrs. Holtorf were born 
ten children : Beartholt H.. who left home 
for Chicago with a train load of cattle, was 
suft'ocated by gas, his death occurring when 
he was only twenty-five years of age and 
coming as a great blow to his parents ; 
Henry, the second child, died in infancy ; 
D. Amanda is the wife of Otto Beeker, of 
Butler township. Calhoun county : John 
Henry is a farmer of the same township ; 
^\'illie died in infancy; Fred is living in But- 
ler township, engaged in farming; Anna 
M. is tlie wife of J. H. Wilts, a druggist 
of Pomeroy ; Alma E. is Jhe wife of Charles 
Moore, of Butler township; August W.. was 
married February 10. 190.2, to Tilda Schultz, 
a daughter of William Schultz. of Poca- 
hontas countv : and Carson is with his 
brother, engaged in farmings. All the chil- 
dren have received good educational priv- 
ileges, fitting them for life's responsible and 
practical duties. 

yir. Holtorf was tlie organizer of the 
German IMutual Insurance Company, was its 
president for a number of years and is now 
its treasurer. He has served in all the town- 
ship offices and has been school director for 
twentv years. Formerly he was identified 
with the Republican party, but in 1882 he 
severed his allegiance to that org-anization 
and now endorses the Democracy. He has 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



413 



always been faithful to even- duty of public 
and private life, his course has ever been 
honorable and straightforward and he com- 
mands the respect of all. 



FREMONT R. SHRADER. 

Fremont R. Shrader is well known in 
business circles in Manson. For many years 
he represented agricultural interests in Cal- 
houn county and is now engaged in dealing 
in real estate as a representative of the Hor- 
ton & Whittlesey Land Agency. He was 
born August 11, 1858, in Whiteside county, 
Illinois. His father, Henry C. Shrader, who 
was Ixjrn in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, 
is now living in his seventy-eighth year. In 
the Buckeye state he married Emeline 
Stought. who was born in Ohio and there 
the father engaged in farming for some 
years, but later turned his attention to shoe- 
making and also conducted a shoe store. 
Subsequently, however, he disposed of that 
business and returned to his farm. He was 
most energetic and industrious, and his was 
a successful business career. In 1856 he re- 
moved with his family to Whiteside coun- 
ty, Illinois, where he purchased a quarter- 
section of land, but in 1857 he became im- 
bued with the desire to search for gold in 
the mountains of the west and in a prairie 
schooner made an overland trip to Pike's 
Peak, spending one year in that locality. He 
then returned to Lanark, Carroll county, Illi- 
nois, At that time the town was in its in- 
fancy and ]\Ir. Shrader established a shoe 
store there, conducting that enterprise for 
six years, on the expiration of which period 
he removed to Shannon, where he was ex- 
tensively engaged in the manufacture of 



boots and shoes. At that time all such goods 
were made by local shoe dealers. He em- 
ployed fourteen men in his establishment, 
and in addition to the manufactory conduct- 
ed a shoe store. When six years had passed 
he removed to the farm, which he had pur- 
chased in Stephenson county, Illinois, mak- 
ing it his place of residence until 1871, when 
he arrived in Calhoun county, Iowa. Here 
he purchased a half-section of land for his 
sons, whO' came to this locality, and Fre- 
mont R. Shrader and his bn.ither-in-law, L. 
E. ]\Iyers. placed this land under cultiva- 
tion. The parents of our subject, however, 
remained in Illinois on the old homestead 
farm until 1889, when they also came to 
Iowa, locating in Greenfield township, Cal- 
houn county. In January, 1900, tliey re- 
moved to Hale, I\Iissouri, where they have 
a son and daughter living and where they 
now reside in well earned retirement from 
labor, enjoying the fruits of their former 
toil. Air. Shrader has been quite actively 
identified with the development of the west, 
especially in Illinois and Iowa. His polit- 
ical support has been given the Republican 
party since its organizati(.)n, but he has al^ 
ways refused office, preferring to devote his 
energies to his business affairs, in which he 
has met with creditable success. He has 
long been a .member of the Masonic fra- 
ternity, has been prominent in its ranks and 
served as grand master mason in Illinois. 
He was at the Masonic headquarters in Chi- 
cago at the time the great fire occurred in 
that city in 1871. 

Unto Henry and Emeline Shrader have 
been born six children : Cordelia is the wife 
of L. E. Myers and resides in New Cambria, 
Missouri, where he conducts a hotel. Mar- 
guerite became the wife of F. C. McLean, 
a resident of Peinisylvania. She passed 



414 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



away here in October, 1895, and is interred 
in the cemetery of Manson, Iowa. Lizzie, 
who became the wife of Easton Stunkard, is 
residing at New Granada, Fuhon county, 
Pennsylvania. John is married and former- 
Iv resided in Manson, Iowa. George mar- 
ried Josie Garrison and operates a farm near 
Hale, Missouri. Our subject, Fremont R., 
completes the family. 

Tlie early education of Fremont R. 
Shrader was obtained in Shannon, Illinois. 
He pursued the high school! course until 
twenty-one years of age, when he came 
to Iowa in company with his father and 
brother-in-law and here began farming, de- 
veloping a tract of wild land, which he trans- 
formed into a rich and attractive farm. 
About six years ago, however, he left his 
farm, which he has since sold, and estab- 
lished a coal yard and implement business 
in Manson, which he conducted for five 
years. He then sold this to Edgar Hobbs 
and entered into business relations with the 
firm of Horton & Whittlesey, representing 
their land agency and also connected with 
their liver>' business. He is well posted on 
fine horses and stock, being an excellent 
judge of the same, and his opinion in these 
matters is often sought by the firm which 
he represents. 

On the loth of November, 1 881, in Man- 
son, Mr. Shrader was united in marriage to 
Miss Clara Roske, who was born in Den- 
mark, September 15, 1861, and is a daugh- 
ter of John U. and ]\Iary (Ludwig) Roske, 
both of whom were also natives of Denmark. 
After their marriage tiiey crossed the At- 
lantic to America in 1861 and settled in Fort 
Dodge, Iowa, where the father engaged in 
the manufacture of brick for a few years. 
He then came to Calhoun county and pur- 
chased a quarter-section of land in Green- 



field township, where he and his wife are 
still living. He exercises his right of fran- 
chise in supjwrt of the men and measures 
of the Republican party, but has never 
sought office as a reward for his allegiance 
thereto. Both he and his wife hold mem- 
bership with the Lutheran church and are 
people of the highest respectability. Their 
one daughter is i\Irs. Shrader and their only 
son is John A., who married Frankie Cond- 
ron, of Rockwell City, and resides upon a 
farm in Greenfield township. Mr. and Mrs. 
Shrader iiave two children, Charles, born 
October ;^o, 1887, and Harry, born Octo- 
ber 5, 1890. Both are now students in the 
public school. Fraternally Mr. Shrader is 
connected with the Modern Woodmen of 
America, and with Temple Lodge, No. 95, 
K. P. In his political views he is a Repub- 
lican, and has been honored with all the 
local offices in Greenfield township. Since 
coming to the county he has been deeply 
interested in its welfare and progress, and 
his labors have been a potent element in its 
improvement and upbuilding. As a citizen 
he is public-spirited and has co-operated in 
many movements for the general good. 



BERT E. SEBERN. 

On the roster of county officials in Cal- 
houn county, Iowa, appears the name of 
Bert E. Sebern, who since January i, 1898, 
has occui)ied the position of county treas- 
urer, discharging his duties in such a prompt 
and capable manner that he has won uniform 
commendation, enjoying in large measure 
the respect and confidence of his fellow men. 
He well deserves the honor that has been 
conferred u])on him by his election, for he 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



415 



is a loyal and progressi\-e citizen \vh(j has 
ever exerted his influence and directed his 
labors in support of those measures which 
contribute to the public good along lines of 
general progress and improvement. 

Mr. Sebern is one of Iowa's native sons, 
his birth having occurred in Benton coun- 
ty, December 9, 1868. his parents being 
James J. and Alary Sebern, both of whom 
were natives of the state of Indiana. They 
are now residents of Manson. Iowa. The 
father followed general farming for a num- 
ber of years and afterward turned his at- 
tention to the lumber, coal and grain busi- 
ness, which he still follows. He is an enter- 
prising business man and his worth is wide- 
ly acknowledged. Unto him and his wife 
were born three children : Bert E., Flor- 
.ence A. and Frank J. 

During his ear]\- boyhood our subject 
was brought by his parents to Calhoun coun- 
ty, where he was reared to manhood, pur- 
suing his education in the public schools of 
Manson and thereby attaining a good knowl- 
edge of the branches of English learning 
which form the foundation of business suc- 
cess. At the age of eighteen years he be- 
gan dealing in real estate and enjoyed a 
constantly increasing clientage, whereby he 
conducted many imjwrtant real-estate trans- 
fers. He had a comprehensive knowledge 
of property and its values in this section of 
the state and gained a fair competence in 
that way. In 1897, however, his fellow 
townsmen, recognizing his worth and abil- 
ity, called him to public office, electing him 
to take charge of the county finances, which 
he has managed in a most careful way, so 
that he has gained the highest commenda- 
tion not only of the men of his own pacty, 
but of the leaders of the opposition as well. 

Mr. Sebern was united in marriage to 



Miss Tillie Wise, who was born in Iowa, 
a daughter of John Wise, who is a pioneer 
of this state, coming here when the work of 
progress and improvement had scarcely 
been begun and taking an active part in the 
pioneer development of the state. They 
have one daughter, F. Marie. Socially Mr. 
Sebern is connected with the Knights of 
Pythias Lodge, at Manson, and with the 
Masonic Lodge at Rockwell City. He en- 
joys the high regard of his brethren of 
those fraternities and in his life he exempli- 
fies the beneficent spirit upon which they are 
based. He has never faltered in his allegi- 
ance to the Republican part)- since attaining 
liis majority and does all in his power to 
promote its growth and insure its success. 
Whether in business life, in public office or 
fraternal circles he commands the esteem of 
his fellow men bv his fidelitv to dutv. 



GEORGE OLCOTT. 



Few men can attain high positions in 
military or political life, but the electrical 
world of business offers unlimited oppor- 
tunity, and advancement therein is a result 
of capability, enterprise and resolute pur- 
pose. Mr. Olcott has been actively con- 
nected with business interests in this section 
of Iowa for a number of years, and is now 
successfully conducting a restaurant in Pom- 
eroy. Fie is wide-awake, alert, and jirogres- 
sive, and typifies the western spirit of en- 
ergy. 

A native of \'ermont, George Olcott was 
born in Windom county February 27, 1838. 
Flis father, L. M. Olcott, was united in mar- 
riage in Vermont, his native state, to Miss 
Jane F. Chamberlin. They became the par- 



4i6 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



eiits of five children, of whom our subject 
is the eldest. The others are : Mollie, who 
is the wife of C. B. Richards and lives in 
Colorado; Mrs. Nellie Archibald, of Min- 
neapolis, Minnesota; Mrs. Hattie Prince, of 
Chicago; and John, who> is connected with 
the \Mieeler «S: Wilson Sewing Machine 
Company, of Chicago. In the year 1845 the 
parents left Vermont and removed west- 
ward, taking up their abode near Princeton, 
Bureau county, Illinois, where the father 
purchased a ['.rm. upon which he remained 
for a fcAV years. Subsequently he engaged 
in the lumber business in Princeton and in 
1856 he came to Iowa, settling in Fort 
Dodge, Webster county, where he bought 
and sold land, making his home there until 
his death, which occurred in 1879. His 
widow is still living at the age of eighty- 
three years and is a resident of Chicago. 

In private schools of Princeton, Illinois, 
George Olcott pursued his education and 
after the removal of the family to Fort 
Dodge he engaged in teaming for two years. 
Susequently he established a meat market 
and was conducting that enterprise at the 
time the Civil war was inaugurated. Sev- 
eral months passed and then feeling that his 
duty to his country came before all other 
interests he donned the blue uniform and 
on the 30th of September, 1861, became a 
member of Company A, Eleventh Pennsyl- 
vania Cavalry. He was mustered in at 
Dubuque and served under Colonel Harlan 
and Captain Stratchan. The regiment was 
assigned to the Army of the Potomac and 
was first sent to Fortress Monroe. With his 
command Mr. Olcott participated in the bat- 
tles of Reams Station and \\'eldon Railroad, 
and was also in several skirmishes. He was 
captured at Black ^^'ater, in Virginia, in 
1863, and held as prisoner there three weeks, 



after which he was exchanged. He was 
never wounded, and on the 17th of Septem- 
ber, 1864, he was honorably discharged and 
mustered out at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. 

When the war was over Mr. Olcott re- 
turned to Fort Dodge, where he engaged in 
driving a Stage in 1865 and 1866. The fol- 
lowing year he was employed in a sawmill 
for a short time, and subsequently he spent 
two years in teaming between Fort Dodge 
and Boone. On abandoning that pursuit he 
turned his attention to farming, which he 
followed until 1877, most of the time in Po- 
cahontas county. In 1880 he came to Cal- 
houn county, where he also carried on agri- 
cultural pursuits until 1888, at which time 
he took up his abode in Pomeroy, where he 
conducted a butcher shop for six years. In 
1894 he opened a restaurant on Ontario 
street and is there receiving a liberal and a 
well merited patronage. He does everything 
he can to meet the requirements of his 
patrons, and his obliging manner, unfailing 
courtesv and fair dealings ha\-e secured to 
him gratifying success. He owns his place 
of residence and two good dwellings in 
Pomeroy. 

Mr. Olcott celebrated Christmas day of 
1876 Ijy his marriage to r^Iatilda Munch, the 
daughter of Edward Munch. Like her fa- 
ther, she was born in Germany, her natal 
day being April 18, 1852. The marriage of 
Mr. and Mrs. Olcott has been blessed with 
one child. John E., who was born Jul}' 22, 
1879, '^"'^ ^^''i" ^^'1* accidentally smothered 
in a flax-bin in an elevator on the 19th 
of .\ugust, 1889. The loss of their only 
child was a great blow to ]\lr. and Mrs. 
Olcott, leaving a vacant place in the home 
and hearts that can never be filled. During 
the terrible cyclone of 1893 the building in 
which Mr. Olcott was carrying on business 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



417 



was partially destroyed and he lost his barns 
and his icehouse, which was filled with ice. 
\\'ith resolute purpose he started to work to 
retrieve liis loss and is now numbered among 
the prosperous and enterprising" business 
men of Pomeroy, whose well directed affairs 
have not only gained him a comfortable com- 
petence, but have also contrilnuea to^ the 
commercial activity and upbuilding of the 
town. Socially he is connected with the 
Grand Army of the Republic at Pomeroy, 
in whicli he is now serving as sergeant and 
he has also been quartermaster. In politics 
he is a Democrat and while residing in Bell- 
ville township, Pocahontas county, was 
county school director and road supervisor. 
He regards a public office as a public trust 
and in the discharge of his duties was so 
reliable and faithful that lie won the high 
CDUiniendation of all concerned. 



MICHAEL O'CONNOR. 

^Michael O'Connor is one of the thrifty 
and progressive agriculturists of this county 
and now owns and operates a good farm of 
one hundred and sixty acres on section 3, 
Calhoun township. He also owns another 
farm, west of Lake City, comprising one 
huiidred and fifty-seven and a half acres. 
His early home was on the other side of the 
.\tlantic, for he was born in 1855 in the 
city of London, England, his parents being 
John and Ellen O'Connor, who^ brought 
their family to the United States in 1865. 
His father is now living a retired life in 
Lake City, Iowa. Michael is the oldest of 
the father's family of children, the others 
being as follows: Thomas, a farmer of 
Calhoun county; John, a retired resident of 



Lake City ; Morris, who died in Kankakee 
county, Illinois, in 1897, leaving a wife and 
two children ; Mary, wife of Thomas De- 
vine, of Kankakee county, Illinois ; Ellen, 
wife of Morris Sheehan, of Calhoun coun- 
ty, Iowa; and Mrs. Nora Ward, a widow 
now living in Lake City. 

The subject of this sketch spent the first 
ten years of his life in London, and then ac- 
companied his parents on their emigration 
to America. He grew tO' manhood in the, 
town of Utica, La Salle county, Illinois, and 
was given good school privileges. About 
187 1 he removed to Kankakee county, that 
state, where his father owned a valuable 
farm, and he assisted in its operation for 
several years. He also owned property- in 
that county and continued his residence there 
until the begimiing of the present century. 
In 1900 he sold out and after traveling quite 
extensively over northwestern Iowa looking 
for a suitable location he desided to settle in 
Calhoun county and bought the farm where 
he now resides, taking up his abode here on 
the 28th of Februar}'; that year. He has 
since enlarged and remodeled the house and 
made many other improvements which add 
greatly to the value and attractive a]Ji)ear- 
ance of the place. A skillful farmer and a 
man of good business and executive ability, 
he has met A\ith excellent success in his un- 
dertakings and is to-day one of the sub- 
stantial men of his community. 

At Kankakee. Illinois, December 8, 1878, 
]VIr. O'Connor led to the marriage altar Miss 
Maggie Durkin, who was reared in Will 
county, that state, and they have become the 
parents of seven children, namely : John, 
James, Martin, Walter, Cecilia, Helen and 
Pearl. The oldest sons now assist their fa- 
ther in the operation of the farm. Tlie fam- 
ilv are communicants of the Catholic church 



4i8 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of Lake City. Althuugh tlieir residence in 
this county is of short duration they have 
made many warm friends here and stand 
high in pubHc esteem. 

In his poHtical views Mr. O'Connor is a 
stanch RepubHcan, and while a resident of 
Kankakee, Illinois, served as township com- 
mitteeman for the appointment of employes 
of the insane asylum at that place for sev- 
eral vears. He was also a member of the 
school board for twenty years, and was dis- 
trict clerk all of the time. Public-spirited 
and progressive, he does ail in his power to 
advance the interests of the community with 
which he is connected. 



JOHN F. FOUTS. 

The subject of this sketch is one of the 
best known and most enterprising farmers 
of Calhoun county, and is now successfully 
engaged in agricultural pursuits on section 
19, Center township. He was born in Stark 
county, Illinois, on the 19th of July, 1856, 
his parents being Louis and Sarah A. (Cul- 
ton) Fouts, the former a native of Indiana 
and the latter of Illinois. The father was 
only two vears old when he came to Illi- 
nois. He is now living a retired life in 
Rockwell City, Iowa. 

John F. Fouts, of this review, remained 
under the parental roof long after he had 
attained man's estate and had the advantages 
of a good common-school education, attend- 
insT the graded schools of Bradford, Wvom- 
ing and Bryant. Illinois, and Lamar, Mis- 
souri. In the fall of 1882, when his father 
retired from active labor and removed to 
Bradford, Illinois, our subject took charge 
of the old home farm, which he successfully 
carried on for one vear. 



Mr. Fouts lived alone until the nth of 
March, 1883, when he was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Maria J. Owens, who was 
born in Marshall county, Illinois, September 
13, 1856. Her parents were natives of Eng- 
land, and on their emigration to America in 
1842 settled in Fulton county, Illinois. The 
father is now deceased, but the mother is 
still living and now makes her home with 
her children. ]\Ir. and Mrs. Fouts have 
three children, namely : Harlan J., born 
August 21, 1884; ^'ernon R., born Decem- 
ber 30, 1890; and Sarah E., born July 13, 
1893. For the past two seasons Harlan J. 
has attended the graded schools of Rockwell 
City. 

In the fall of 1883 Mr. Fouts and his 
brother-in-law purchased a meat market in 
Bradford, Illinois, which they conducted un- 
til the fall of 1886, and in the meantime 
bought a house and five lots at that place. 
Selling all his town property, he then came 
west in search of a suitable location, and 
decided to settle in Carroll county, Iowa, 
where he purchased eighty acres of land. 
The same fall he also bought one hundred 
and sixty acres in Pawnee county, Kansas. 
In the spring of 1887 he and his family 
moved to Carroll county, Iowa, and in con- 
nection with the operation of his farm he 
also run a threshing machine for three years. 
It was in the fall of 1889 that he first came 
to Rockwell City and purchased a half in- 
terest in a meat market, of which he took 
possession in January, 1890. That spring 
his family took up their abode here, and on 
the 1st of April he purchased a restaurant, 
of which his wife took charge, but the fol- 
lowing fall he disposed of all his city prop- 
ertv and once more resumed farming, hav- 
ing bought one hundred and sixty acres of 
partially improved land on section 2, Lake 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



419 



Creek townsliip, Callioun county, where he 
located in tlie spring of 1891, .and where 
he continued to reside for four years. Dur- 
ing the summer of 1891 he traded his Kan- 
sas land for horses and cattle, and a year 
later traded some of the horses for seven 
and a half acres of land within the corporate 
limits of the town of Carroll, Iowa. In the 
fall of 1893 Mr. Fonts traded his Carrol 
county property for a farm of one hundred 
and thirty acres in Jackson township, this 
county, and on selling his farm in Lake 
Creek township in the summer of 1894 he 
bought one hundred and sixty acres of land 
on section 19, Center township, which he 
still owns. On the latter farm the family 
located in the spring of 1895 and there thej- 
have since made their home. In the fall of 
1898 Mr. Fonts traded for a house and one 
acre of land in the southern part of Rock- 
well City and rented the place until the fall 
of 1901, when he sold it. He embarked in 
the agricultural implement business in that 
city in the spring of 1898, and in the sum- 
mer of 1899 added a stock of hardware. He 
conducted the store in a most successful 
manner until the winter of 1901, when he 
sold out. In the meantime he had made his 
home upon the farm and is now devoting his 
time and energies to its oi^eration. He gives 
considerable attention to the raising and 
feeding of stock, and has shipped several 
carloads of his own feeding. Upon his farm 
he has built a good two-story house and a 
good Ijarn, and made many other improve- 
ments which add to the value and attractive 
appearance of the place. He raises only the 
ijest grades of stock, making a specialty of 
Poland China hogs and Hereford cattle. In 
his herd of hogs are two registered animals, 
Black Bess, No. 159232, and Belie, No. 

159230- 



For the last few years Mr. Fonts has 
taken quite an active and prominent part in 
local politics and has been called upon to fill 
a number of offices, serving as road super- 
visor, school director, president of the school 
board two years and township clerk two 
years. In the fall of 1901 he was elected a 
member of the board of county supervisors 
from the fifth district for a term of three 
years, and is now filling that office with 
credit to himself and to the entire satisfac- 
tion of his constituents. Politically he is 
identified with the Republican party, and so- 
cially he is a member of the Odd Fellows 
Lodge, No. 279, of Carroll, Iowa. 



MALCOLM PETERSON. 

Though no land is richer in opportunities 
or offers greater advantages to its citizens 
than America, success is not to be obtained 
through desire, l)ut must be persistently 
sought. In America "labor is king," and 
the man who resolutely sets to work to ac- 
complish a purpose is certain of success if 
he has but the Cjualities of perse\'erance, un- 
tiring energ)' and practical common sense. 
Malcolm Peterson is one whose career ex- 
cites the admiration and gains the respect of 
all, for through his diligence and persistent 
purpose he has won a leading place in the 
business circles of Pomeroy, where he is 
now proprietor of an elevator and is en- 
gaged not only in dealing in grain and feed, 
but also in coal. 

Mr. Peterson was born in Sweden, De- 
cember 27, 1867. His parents, John A. and 
Anna Peterson, were also natives of that 
country, the former born January i, 1833. 
the latter May 15, 1829. In 186S the father, 



420 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



with two of his daughters and one son older 
than our subject, crossed the Atlantic to the 
new world and made preparation for a home 
for the other members of the family. In 
1869 the mother came, bringing with her 
two sons, one of whom was Malcolm, of 
this review. The family home was first in 
Henderson county, Illinois, where the father 
secured a farm and carried on agricultural 
pursuits for four years. When that period 
had elapsed he removed to Webster county, 
Iowa, settling in Pleasant Valley township, 
where for a time he conducted a boarding- 
house at Coalville, and later engaged in 
farming near there for about fifteen years. 
In the year 1892 he became a resident of 
Pomeroy, where his wife died in 1900, but 
he is still living and is si.xty-seven years 
of age. 

This worthy couple- were the parents of 
five children, as follows : Josephine, the 
wife of J. M. Johnson, of Fort Dodge, now 
deceased; Ida, who married J. M. INIericIe. 
of Fort Dodge; G. B., who is engaged in 
general merchandising in Pomeroy; A. J., 
a traveling mai-i. who makes his home in 
Webster City; and our subject. 

Malcolm Peterson acquired his early ed- 
ucation in Coalville and later continued his 
studies in the Fort Dodge Collegiate Insti- 
tute, where he pursued a business course. 
On putting aside his text-books he returned 
to the home farm and assisted in the culti- 
vation and improvement of the fields until 
the 15th of October, 1891, when he was 
married, the lady of his choice being Miss 
Helma Ericcson, a daughter of John Ericc- 
son. She was born in Sweden July 8, 1873, 
and by her marriage has become the mother 
of three interesting children : Jessie, born 
December 13. 1892; Marie, born March 21, 
1894; and John, born September 8, 1896. 



^Ir. Peterson and his wife began their 
domestic life upon a farm which continued 
to be their residence until 1894, when they 
came to Calhoun county. Here he worked 
in a general mercantile store until 1895, 
when he purchased an elevator and has since 
been engaged in buying and selling grain 
and in dealing in coal and feed. In June, 
1897, his elevator was destroyed by fire, but 
before September he had erected a new one. 
His business is steadilv increasing, owing to 
his honorable methods, his straightforward 
dealing and his enterprise, and now he de- 
rives from his sales a good annual income. 
In connection with his brother he owns two 
hundred and forty acres of valuable land in 
Pocahontas county, and he also has his own 
home in Pomeroy. Mr. Peterson exercises 
his right of franchise in support of the men 
and measures of the Republican party, but 
has never sought or desired office. He be- 
longs to the Presbyterian church and to 
Solar Lodge. Xo. 475. F. & A. M. He like- 
wise holds membership in the Modern 
Woodmen camp and served as \-enerable 
consul for one term. He has the thrift and 
perseverance S(i ciiaracteristic of people of 
his native land, and he possesses the enter- 
prising spirit of the west. He is \ery true 
to his adopted country, and does everything 
in his nower to promote the growth, up- 
building and substantial improvement of 
Pomeroy and Calhoun county. 



H. H. MARSH. 



During the greater part of his life H. H. 
Marsh has been connected with theatrical 
work and with a mind richly stored with 
reminiscences he is a most entertaining and 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



421 



companionable gentleman. He was born in 
Lake county, Ohio, March 17, 1840, a son 
of Ephraim and Catherine ( Sholts) Marsh, 
both of whom were natives of New York. 
Tlie father was a farmer by occupation and 
after residing in Illinois for some years he 
removed to Wisconsin in 1850, spending his 
remaining days in the Badger state. His 
death occurred in 1868 and his wife, surviv- 
ing him twenty years, passed away in 1888. 
In their family were three sons and a daugh- 
ter, of whom H. H. Marsh is the eldest. 
Elijah is now a resident of Pueblo, Colo- 
rado. N. B. is living in Barron county, 
Wisconsin, while ]Mrs. Angeline Ailing is 
a resident of Belleville, Wisconsin. 

At the age of sixteen years H. H. Marsh 
left home. He traveled with different circus 
companies for about fifteen years and has 
been connected with almost all lines of circus 
and theatrical work. For two years he was 
also employed on the Erie canal and when 
the country's call for aid aroused the nation 
and men in every walk of life flocked to the 
standard of the Union he joined Company 
D, of the Seventh Wisconsin Infantry, on 
the 17th of .\ugust. 1861. This regiment 
formed a part of the old "Iron Brigade," 
under General George B. McClellan. Mr. 
Marsh served for three years as a private 
with the Army of the Potomac and then re- 
enlisted for one year in the Forty-sixth Wis- 
consin Infantry. He participated in the en- 
gagements at Fredericksburg, Antietam and 
South Mountain, and was then commis- 
sioned as sergeant, serving in that capacity 
until the close of the war. He was mustered 
out October 3, 1865, and honorably dis- 
charged at Nashville. Tennessee. He had 
two brothers who were in the service, Elijah, 
who was wounded in the second battle ot 
Bull Run in August, 1862, and Alfred, who 



was a member of the One Hundred and 
Thirty-second New York Infantry and laid 
down his life on the altar of his country. 
Mr. iMarsh, of this review, participateu in 
many important engagements and was al- 
ways found at his jxist of duty, whether on 
the battle-field or on the picket line. 

On the 4th of ]\Iarch, 1865, was cele- 
brated the marriage of Mr. Marsh and Mary 
L. Sholts, who was born in Crawford coun- 
ty, Pennsylvania, September 2, 1845, ^ 
daughter of Henry W. and Lovica (Han- 
nan ) Sholts. The father was born in New 
York and was of German descent, while her 
mother, who was also a native of the Empire 
state, was of Irish lineage. In 1848 they re- 
moved to Wisconsin and were farming peo- 
ple of that locality. Mr. Sholts engaged in 
merchandising for five years. He was like- 
wise a pioneer school teacher and success- 
fully engaged in educational work for twen- 
ty-one years. As his financial resources in- 
creased he made investments in real estate 
and l>ecame the owner of large landed inter- 
ests. For thirteen \'ears he served as jus- 
tice of the peace, discharging his duties with 
marked impartiality and promptness. His 
wife died about 1868 and he afterward mar- 
ried Mrs. Wheeler, a widow. His death 
occurred in 1872. Mrs. Marsh had five 
brothers and one cousin who were Union 
soldiers in the Ci\il war. Her brother 
Henry died in the scrx'ice at Brownsville, 
Te.xas, and was buried on the banks of the 
Rio Grande. Another brother, Calvin, was 
killed at the battle of Cold Harlxir, filling 
an unknown grave. Another brother, ;\Iar- 
tin Van Buren. who was a member of the 
Forty-second Wisconsin Infantry, died in 
the Badger state in igoo, while John .\., 
who was a member of the niirty-third Wis- 
consin Infantr}-, now resides at Sparta. Wis- 



422 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



cousin, where he is serving as police judge. 
The youngest brother, L. K. Sholts, is em- 
ployed in the office of Jolm A. Sholts. Or- 
son and Ozro, twin brothers, are farming 
people residing near Rutland, ^^'isconsin. 
One sister of the family, Alice E., died in 
infancy. 

For several years after his marriage Mr. 
Marsh resided in Rutland, ^^'isco^si^, and 
later made his home in other places in that 
state, spending a number of years in Sparta. 
He was also for two years in Kansas, and 
during much of the time was upon the road 
as a traveling salesman. He came from 
Kansas to ]\Ianson December 9, 1878. The 
town was then in its infancy and ]\Ir. ]\Iarsh 
established a hotel, with which line of busi- 
ness he has since been conntcted. In 1898 
h.e built the Marsh Hotel, a most modern 
house, heated throughout with hot air, sup- 
plied with electric lights and superior venti- 
lating facilities and equipped with the most 
modern improvements. It was built upon 
plans made by Mr. and Mrs. Marsh. He 
does not now conduct the hotel, but has a 
comfortable residence in the southern part 
of the town, in which he is li\ing in honor- 
able retirement from business. 

Two children have been born unto our 
subject and his wife : Clitiford C, born De- 
cember 25, 1866, is now in the medical dis- 
pensary of the war department of Dakota, 
located at St. Paul, ]\Iinnesota, having been 
connected with this department for eight 
years. For four years previous he had been 
employed in the pension department in 
Washington, D. C. He was an occupant of 
the old Ford theatre at the time of its col- 
lapse and sustained an injur}- from its fall- 
ing walls. At the time of the Spanish- 
American war he was transferred to his 
present position, which he is filling with 



credit. He married Aliss Hattie \\''ood, of 
Fort Dodge, Iowa, the wedding taking place 
in Manson, in 1893, and they have now 
three children, Tina P., Fern and Clifford 
C. John V. ]Marsh, the younger son, was 
born November 5, 1S69, and was married 
in Manson to Julia Boardman, and is now 
a tonsorial artist. He has two interesting 
little daughters, Joy Alberta and Elma. The 
family attend the ]\Iethodist Episcopal 
church and Mr. Marsh is a member of Allee 
Post, G. A. R., while his wife belongs to 
the Women's Relief Corps. In politics he 
is an active Republican, strongly endorsing 
the principles of his party. 



O. L. HEDLUND. 



Xo foreign elemejit has Ijecome a more 
important part in our American citizenship 
than that furnished by Sweden. The emi- 
grants from that land have brought with 
them to the new world the stability, enter- 
prise and perseverance characteristic of their 
people, and have fused these qualities with 
the progressiveness and indomitable spirit of 
the west. Mr. Hedlund is a worthy repre- 
sentative of this class. He came to America 
a poor boy, hoping to benefit his financial 
condition here, and his dreams of the future 
have been more than realized. He now occu- 
pies a ver}' prominent place in the business 
circles of Knierim as a dealer in lumber. 

Air. Hedlund was born on the 5th of 
July, 1875, in Sweden, of which country his 
parents, Edward and Elizabeth Hedlund, are 
still residents. He has two brothers, Hugh 
and Benjamin, who also make their home in 
Sweden, our subject being the only one of 
the family to come to the United States. He 
was onlv twelve vears old when he crossed 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



425 



the broad Atlantic, and on landing in this 
country came at once to Iowa, arri\ing in 
Harcourt, Webster county, on the 9th of 
September, 1887. His education, which was 
begun in the schools of his native land, was 
supplemented by a course in the public 
schools of \\'el)stcr count}-. He began his 
business career as assistant postmaster at 
Harcourt under President Cleveland's first 
administration, and served in that capacity 
about two years. 

At the age of sixteen years Mr. Hedlund 
went to Greene county, Iowa, where he spent 
two years, working on a farm during the 
summer season and attending school through 
the winter months, and at the end of that 
time removed to Callender, Webster coun- 
t}'. In the spring of 1892 he came to Cal- 
houn county, where he worked one summer 
for a farmer living one mile from Farnham- 
ville, and then engaged in clerking in a gen- 
eral store of that town for one year. The 
following year was spent as a farm hand in 
\\'ebster county, and in the fall of 1894 he 
returned to Farnhamville, where he engaged 
in the poultry business that winter. The 
next summer he resumed clerking and con- 
tinued to follow that pursuit for one year. 
In the spring of 1896, on account of fail- 
ing health, he sought employment on a farm 
south of Farnhamville, but in the fall re- 
turned to town and accepted a position 
with a ])h_vsician. 

Mr. Hedlund went to Lyon county, Min- 
nesota, in the spring of 1897, and entered 
the service of the Winona Lumber Company 
as second man in their lumber vard at that 
place, where he worked one year. He then 
took charge of the clothing dqiartnient of a 
department store in Minneota, Minnesota, 
but on the ist of January, 1899, returned 
to Webster countv, Iowa, and accepted the 

24 



position of extra man in the lumber yard 
of J. & W^. C. Shull, of Gowrie, where he 
worked about a year. On the i6th of No- 
vember, 1899, he came to Knierim in the 
employ of that firm and opened the first lum- 
ber yard at this place, establishing- business 
here before there was a house in sight. He 
furnished the lumber for the first building 
erected in the town, owned by J. H. Kelly, 
of Barnum,_ who opened the first store here. 
His next sale was to J. B. Wartchow, on the 
lotli of January, 1900, followed by his sale 
to D. F. Reents, who built a blacksmith shop 
and dwelling, the latter being the first house 
' erected in Knierim. Later our subject sold 
the lumber to D. H. French for the erection 
of his hotel, then for Dr. Flinn's residence 
and for Frank Tolan's furniture store. On 
the 15th of October, 1900, he furnished the 
lumber for the residence of \\'illiam 
Knierim, and the following March the lum- 
l>er for the residences of B. F. Owens and 
Louis Shellard, and the restaurant now occu- 
pied by Miss Julius. When Mr. Hedlund 
arri\'ed in what is now Knierim there was 
nothing here but an oat stubblefield, and 
he has watched with interest the entire de- 
velopment of the town, at the same time- 
doing all in his power to aid- in its advance- 
n-ient. He is a wide-awake, energetic busi- 
ness man, thoroughly reliable in all things,, 
and it is to such men that the west owes its- 
I)rosperity and rajiid ad\-ancen-ient. He has: 
won the proud American title of a self-made 
man, having through his own well directed 
efforts acquired a competency. Politically- 
he has always affiliated with the Republicair 
party since attaining his majority, and so- 
ciallv is a memlwr of the IMasonic Lodge at 
Manson, and the Knights of Pythias and In- 
de])endent Order of Odd l'"ellows at Farn- 
ban-i\-ille. 



426 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



WILLIAM L. HULETT. 

William L. Hulett has almost reached 
the eighty-fourth milestone on the journey 
-of life. His path has been the straight and 
narrow one, with no deviations from the 
right, and an honorable career has made 
him respected and venerated by all who 
Icnow him. Almost half the width of the 
■continent separates him from his birthplace 
— Chester, ^^ermont. in which city he first 
■opened his eyes to the light of day on the 
1 2th of October, 1818. His parents, Gor- 
don and Lydia (Pollard) Hulett, were also 
natives of the Green Mountain state, while 
Joseph Hulett, the paternal grandfather, and 
John Pollard, the maternal grandfather, 
were both natives of Massachusetts and were 
soldiers of the Revolutionary war. The par- 
ents of William L. Hulett resided in \'er- 
mont for many years, and his father de- 
voted his energies- to agricultural pursuits 
there until 1870, when he removed to Illi- 
nois, where he remained until called to his 
final rest at the advanced age of ninety years. 
He made his home with a son in Whiteside 
countv, Illinois, living in honorable retire- 
ment from labor. His wife also died in 
W'hiteside county at the home of their son, 
passing away at the age of eighty-two. In 
their family were five sons and two daugh- 
ters, and four of the number are yet living. 
Those who have passed away are: Louisa, 
■who died at the age of seventeen years; 
Sarah Jane, who passed away at the age of 
fifty; and Amos A., whose death occurred 
•when he had reached the age of eighty- 
seven. Those who still survive are ; Lucius, 
■who resides in Whiteside county, Illinois, at 
the age of eighty-six years; William L., 
eighty-three years of age; Elias, who is liv- 
ing in Lohrville, at the age of eighty-one; 



and John, who makes his home in \\'hiteside 
county, Illinois, and is now more than sev- 
enty-five years of age. 

On the old family homestead in the 
Green Mountain state William L. Hulett 
was reared and educated, and at the age of 
twenty-six years he was married to Laura 
Farrington, whose birth occurred in Ches- 
ter, Vermont, February 13, 1825, a daugh- 
ter of Abram and Sophia Blanchard. The 
voung couple began their domestic life in 
the state of their nativity, but in 1849 ^^'^^t 
to Morrison, Illinois, where Mr. Hulett pur- 
chased land from the government at a dollar 
and a quarter per acre. He and his broth- 
ers also bought other lands and the family 
then owned two hundred and forty acres. 
Mr. Hulett, of this review, controlled the 
farm ami resided thereon for seven years. 
He then sold his interest and removed to 
Clayton county, Iowa, where he purchased 
three hundred acres, which he continued to 
cultivate for seven years. On the e.xpira- 
tion of that period he returned to Illinois 
and purchased forty acres of the old home- 
stead in W'hiteside county, but wishing to 
give his children better educational advan- 
tages he once more .sold out after seven 
years, and in 1870 came to Calhoun coun- 
tv, Iowa, making the journey with teams. 
Here he purchased one hundred acres two 
miles south of Lohrville. It was in its 
primitive condition, but nature needed only 
the aid of man to- make this an arable tract. 
Wild game of all kinds was plentiful, in- 
cluding deer and various kinds of wild 
fowls. His nearest neighbor on the north 
was twenty miles away, and the nearest vil- 
lage was Gowrie. The trading was done 
at Jefferson and owing to the unsettled con- 
dition of the region many hardships and 
trials had to be borne. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



427 



\\'itli characteristic energy, however, Mr. 
Hulett began to l)reak his land and develop 
his farm, upon which he resided until 1890, 
when he removed tO' Lohrville, where lie is 
now living retired. He still owns the old 
homestead, however, and is to-day the oldest 
settler in Union township. He can recall 
many interesting incidents of life on the 
frontier, when Calhoun county was just 
emerging from pioneer environments, and 
he has always borne his i>art in the work of 
public progress and improvement. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hulett were born 
five children, four daughters and a son : 
Mrs. Abbie McDonald, of Lohrville; Mrs. 
Lydia B. Bolander, of Union township ; 
Mrs. Eva Robeson, of Lohrville ; Mrs. 
Gertie Middleton, who is also living in that 
place; and Ernest J., who was born in 
Whiteside county, Illinois, and is now jus- 
tice of the peace in Lohrville. The wife and 
mother died June 12. 1890, and her loss 
was deeply regretted throughout the com- 
munity where she was much beloved for her 
many excellencies of character. In his po- 
litical views Mr. Hulett has been a Repub- 
lican from the organization, of the party, 
and his religious faith is that of the Chris- 
tian church. So long has he been a resident 
of tlie county, so upright has been his life 
and so loyal his citizenship that no history 
of this community would be complete with- 
out his life record. 



JOHN BROWN. 



Every land on the face of the globe has 
added to the American citizenship, but no 
country has sent a more loyal and valuable 
class to the L^nited States than has Scotland, 



whose sturdy, determined, courageous and 
upright sons have contributed to improve- 
ment and progress in every section of the 
country in which they have locatetl. Mr. 
Brown, who is now li\ing in Lake City, 
came from the land of hills and heather, his 
birth having occurred in Glasgow, April 11, 
1836. Flis parents were John and Cather- 
ine ( Williams) Brown, in whose family 
were four sons : Ale.xander, now deceased ; 
John; Benjamin W. : and George, who has 
also, passed away. The mother died about 
1846, and in 1850 the father came with his 
children to the new world. For ten years 
he had been an officer in the English navy 
and resigiiing his position he crossed the 
Atlantic. The vessel in which he sailed was 
shipwrecked off the coast of the Bahama 
Islands, and there, after three days, a good 
many passengers and sailors were rescued. 
The following day the vessel was swept out 
to sea and lost. John Brown, the father, 
went to Nassau, New Providence, and after 
three weeks proceeded by schooner to New 
Orleans, where he remained for a short 
time, going thence to Peoria, Illinois. On 
the expiration of a year he removed to Mc- 
Lean county, Illinois, settling near Bloom- 
ington. where he purchased a farm. Three 
years later, however, the old home was 
broken up, the father going to La .Salle, Illi- 
nois, where he died about 1858. The brother 
of our subject was a soldier of the Civil 
war, joining Company E, Eighth Illinois 
Infantry, and was wounded in the battle of 
Fort Donelson. He built the first business 
block in Sabine, Te.xas, and is now serving 
as postmaster in that place. 

Our subject was a youth of fourteen 
when, with his father, he said good-by to his 
native land and sailed for the new world. 
He well rememljers the incidents of that ])er- 



428 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ilous voyage. He accompanied his father 
on his various removals until 1857 when he 
went to La Salle, Illinois, Init remained there 
only a short time, returning to McLean 
county, where he worked on a farm until 
after the inauguration of the Civil war. 
Aroused by a spirit of patriotism he enlisted 
in defense of his adopted land, on the ist of 
Aug-ust, 1862, becoming a member of Com- 
pany H, Ninety-fourth Illinois Infantry, 
under the command of Captain Orme, join- 
ing the regiment at Bloomington, in ^Ic- 
Lean county, where it was organized, under 
Colonel Orme. and in ten days was sent to 
the front. At this time John McXulta was 
lieutenant-colonel. At the promotion of 
Colonel Orme to brigadier-general, Mr. Mc- 
Nulta was promoted to colonel, having 
charge of the regiment throughout the re- 
mainder of the war. The command was 
sent to Benton Barracks, St. Louis, and then 
attached to' the Army of the Frontier, par- 
ticipating in the engagements at Prairie 
Grove, the Van Buren campaign and the 
siege of Vicksburg. After the fall of Vicks- 
burg the division ascended the Yazoo river 
and captured Yazoo city. On their return 
to Vicksburg they were transferred to the 
Department of the Gulf, under General 
Banks, and went down the river to Port 
Hudson, but took no active part in the en- 
gagement, the surrender there having oc- 
curred shortly before the arrival of this divi- 
sion. Xexc the troops proceeded to New 
Orleans and participated in the battle of 
Morganza Bend. At that time General 
Banks was organizing an expedition to in- 
vade Te.xas, and the Ninety-fourth Illinois 
was called to take part, sailing" from New 
Orleans across the gidf of Mexico, to Bra- 
zos, Santiago, landing near where the Rio 
Grande empties into the gulf. They marched 



to Brownsville and the city surrendered to 
the regiment, which then raised the stars 
and stripes. It might be said that this regi- 
ment helped to establish two republics, that 
of the I'nited States and of [Mexico, for 
]\Iaximillian was then trying to establish an 
empire in Mexico. Afterward our subject 
recrossed the gulf of Mexico and took part 
in the ■Mobile campaign, going with General 
Farragut to reduce the forts at the entrance 
of Alobile bay. Thus it was that Mr. Brown 
took part in the battle of Mobile bay and 
the siege of Spanish Fort. His regiment 
was there stationed when the war practically 
came to an end. but it was sent to Galveston, 
Texas, where it remained for some time, the 
troops being mustered out there July 19, 
1865. In August, following, IMr. Brown re- 
ceived an honorable discharge, at Spring- 
field, Illinois, and returned thence to Bloom- 
ington. 

In the fall of 1865 he crossed the x\tlan- 
tic once more and for a short time visited 
in his native land, viewing the scenes of 
childhood and renewing the friendships of 
his youth. When he again came to the Uni- 
ted States, he engaged in farming near 
Bloomington, Illinois, for a year and in the 
spring of 1868 he went to Washington 
county, Iowa, where he purchased a tract of 
land, continuing its cultivation until 1875, 
when he came to Calhoun county. Here for 
twentv-seven years he had made his home 
and for twenty-three years he resided upon 
his farm in I_^ake Creek township. He still 
owns this property but in 1898 he removed 
to Lake City, where he has since resided, but 
he still owns his farm and derives therefrom 
a gcHxl income. 

Mr. Brown was married in New Lanark, 
near the falls of Clyde, in Scotland, on the 
1 6th of January, 1866, the lady of his choice 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



429 



being Elizabeth Dickson, a daugliter of 
George Dickson, also of New Lanark. Unto 
Mr. and Mrs. Brown have been born the 
following named: Ella May, deceased; 
Douglas, a moulder of New Bedford, Alas- 
sachusetts; x\da, the wife of Henry Knisely, 
of Sac City, Iowa ; Arthur, a resident farm- 
er of Calhoun county; Catherine, now mar- 
ried and living in Sioux Falls, South Da- 
kota; Walter, who is engaged in the laun- 
dry business in Ida Grove, Iowa; George, 
who is with his parents: Donald, who died 
in infancy; and Jeanie Belle, who resides 
with her parents. In his political affiliations 
Mr. Brown has been a stanch Republican 
since casting his first presidential vote for 
Abraham Lincoln and has never wavered 
in his advocacy to the principles of the party, 
which preserved the Union in the dark days 
of the Civil war and which has ever stood 
for advancement, progress and the protection 
of all American institutions. He belongs to 
Landar Post, No. 156, G. A. R., and thus 
maintains pleasant relationship with his old 
army comrades. In the years of his active 
business career he made the most of his op- 
portunities, and his thrift, enterprise and dil- 
igence enabled him to overcome all obstacles 
in his path and advance steadily tOi the plane 
of success, so that he is now enabled to live 
retired in the enjoyment of a well earned 
rest and the fruits of his former toil. 



ROBERT GLOVER. 

Robert Glover is an octogenarian, and in 
the eighty-two years of his life he has so 
lived as to command uniform resjiect and 
confidence. For thirty-six years he has been 
a resident of Calhoun county, ctjming to^ this 



portion of the state when pioneer conditions 
existed and when all the hardships and trials 
incident to the frontier were met by the set- 
tlers here. The courage and resolutions de- 
manded of those who carry civilization into 
a new region are equal to that displayed by 
the veteran on the field of battle. There 
is a struggle with primitive conditions that 
demands personal valor and unfaltering pur- 
pose, and great honor is due to the men and 
women who leave behind them the comforts 
of the older east to establish homes in the 
western wilderness and reclaim the lands for 
the uses of man. Their work is not for 
themselves alone, for later generations reap 
the benefit of their labors, and to the pioneers 
we owe a debt of gratitude whicli can never 
be repaid. 

Mr. Glover has contributed his full share 
to the development, upbuilding and progress 
of Calhoun county, and with pleasure we 
present his life history to our readers as that 
of one of the representative citizens of this 
portion of the state. 

A native of Scotland he was born in 
Dumfriesshire, on the 22d of August, 1820, 
his parents being James and Jeaimette (Ken- 
nedy) Glover, whO' were also natives of 
Scotland, the former born in Dumfriesshire, 
the latter in Greenhill. Tlie father was a 
stocking-weaver by trade and followed that 
pursuit in his natix'c land until 1821, when 
he sailed to Prince Edward's Island with 
his family, on the ship Diana, which con- 
sumed five weeks in making that voyage. 
For twenty years James Glover remained on 
that island and then again sailed across the 
water, this time establishing his home on 
the other side of the Atlantic. For nine 
years he engaged in farming in Nova Sco- 
tia, and then removed to New York, in 1851, 
establishing his home in Oneida county. 



43° 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Avliere both he and his wife spent their re- 
maining days. In liis political views the 
father was a Republican and in his religious 
faith was a Presbyterian, holding the office 
of deacon in the church for thirty years. In 
the family were two children who died in 
Scotland and two on Prince Edward's 
Island. John wedded Mary Bell and lived 
on Prince Edward's island, but both are 
now deceased. Elizabeth became the wife 
of Tliomas Harris and both died in Utica, 
New York. Isabella was the wife of David 
Mickle and they resided in Xova Scotia for 
a time. The wife died in Waterville, New 
York, and he died in Wisconsin. 

Roljert Glover, the fourth of the famih-, 
received but limited .school privileges but 
his training at farm labor was not meager. 
He assisted his father in the cultivation of 
the home farm and afterward worked by the 
month as a farm hand in New^ York, having 
accompanied his parents on their voyage 
across the Atlantic and their removal to the 
United States from Xova Scotia. He also 
engaged in the manufacture of brooms in 
the Empire state. A short time after his 
marriage he removed to Illinois, taking up 
his abode in that state in 1865, and the fol- 
lowing year he came to Calhoun county, 
where he secured a homestead claim in con- 
nection with his brother-in-law, Mr. Som- 
erville, in Lincoln township. Subsequently 
he added eighty acres to their first tract, but 
afterward they sold much of their landed 
possessions, owning at the present time a 
quarter section of farm land and residence 
property in Manson. 

On the nth of March, 1S56, near Utica, 
New York, Mr. Glover was united in mar- 
riage to Miss Mary Somerville, a native of 
Glasgow, Scotland, born in 1832. She was 
the daughter of William and Agnes (Lee) 



Somerville, both of whom were natives of 
Ayershire, Scotland. They were married in 
Glasgow and in that city the father con- 
ducted a hotel while the mother carried on a 
general store. There Mr. Somerville died 
in 1847, and in 1849 'i^s widow came to 
America with her family on the sailing ves- 
sel Hyperion, which reached the harbor of 
New York after a voyage of thirty days. 
Tliey settled in Oneida county. New York, 
and the children and mother worked in a 
cotton factory — the York mills — near Utica, 
making their home in that localitv until 
after the marriage of Mr. Glover when 
the Somerville family came to the west, in 
1857. Mrs. Somerville took up her abode 
in Illinois and the same year was married 
m the state of New York to Elias Turner, a 
native of New York. In 1890 they removed 
to Calhoun county, Iowa, where Mr. Turner 
died in 1892, his widow surviving him until 
1893, when she. too, passed away. ]\Ir. 
Somerville, the father of Mrs. Glover, was 
a Presb},i:erian in his religious belief. Mr. 
Turner was an advocate of Republican prin- 
ciples, but in religious opinions was a Meth- 
odist, holding membership with a church of 
that denomination. Mrs. Glover was the 
eldest of her father's family of three chil- 
dren, the others being John, who resides 
with our subject, and Susan, the wife of 
Calvin Griffith, their home being on a farm 
four -niles south of Manson. The home of 
Mr. and Mrs. Glover has l>een blessed with 
two children: Luella, the wife of M. J. 
Huggoboom, who resides on her father's 
farm and l)y whom she has four living chil- 
dren ; and James ^^'illiam, who died at the 
age of sixteen years. 

Mr. Glover votes with the Republican 
party and since attaining the right of fran- 
chise through naturalization he has strongly 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



431 



endorsed the jirinciples of that party. He 
aided in organizing the Congreg-ational 
church in Manson in 1868, has since served 
as one of its deacons and is a most faithful, 
helpful and loyal member. He was also one 
of the first trustees of the town of Manson 
and filled that position for several years, dis- 
charging his duties with marked promptness 
and ability. Since coming to this county he 
has been regarded as a most valuable citizen. 
With'iut ostentation or display he has faith- 
fully performed his duties of citizenship, and 
his labors have resulted to the substantial 
benefit and improvement of the county. His 
name is synonymous with all that is straight- 
forward and honorable in relations between 
man and man, and at all times his private 
life has been guided by principles which 
everywhere command respect. 



MIKE D. CAMPBELL. 

Mike D. Campbell is one of the enter- 
prising young farmers of Calhoun county, 
his home being on section 12, Greenfield 
township. He was born in Jo Daviess coun- 
ty, Illinois, September 4, 1871. His father, 
Peter Campbell, was a native of Ohio, born 
July 30, 1842, and was a son of A. B. 
Campbell. In early youth he accompanied 
his parents on their removal to Illinois and 
worked upon his father's farm in that state 
until after the Civil war was begun, when 
he joined Company A, First Regiment of 
the United States Volunteer Engineers, be- 
ing enrolled on the 22d of August, 1862, to 
serve three years. He received an honorable 
discharge June 30, 1865, at Nashville. Un- 
der the command of Captain William 
Loughlin, he rendered valuable service and 



won distinction at Chattanooga. He was 
at the head of the Pontoon expedition and 
his ability in the line of the duties entrusted 
to him made his services most valued. Dur- 
ing the war he was united in marriage to 
Kosetta Stormer, a native of Tennessee, in 
which state they were married.- After the 
cessation of hostilities he returned to Illinois 
and worked ujxjn the home farm until the 
spring of 1873, when with his family he 
came to Iowa, settling only two miles from 
Twin Lakes on a homestead of forty acres. 
He afterward rented land for a few years 
and then purchased a tract in Center town- 
ship, upon which he made his home for 
about six years. On the expiration of that 
periotl he removed to another farm of one 
hundred and sixty acres in the same town- 
ship, making it the place of his abode until 
his death, which occurred September 14, 
1892, when he was about fiftv years of age. 
In politics he was a Republican, having 
iirm faith in the principles of the party. His 
wife, who was born April 4, 1847, survived 
him until the 6th of August, 1899, passing 
away at the age of fifty-two years. In their 
family were nine children : Mary, the wife 
of L. Soper, of Emmitsburg, Iowa ; William, 
who |is living in Mineral Springs, Wiscon- 
sin ; Mike D. ; A. B., a resident of Calhoun 
county; Hattie, the wife of \ed Sandquist, 
of Crystal Lake; Lee and Arthur, who are 
also living' in Calhoun county ; Mortie and 
Millie M., twins, born in this county, /\pril 
23. 1885. 

In the district schools Mike D. Camp- 
bell pursued his education. He was only 
about two years old when his parents came 
to Calhoun county and here lie was reared 
and educated, remaining untlcr the parental 
roof until nineteen years of age. lie then 
began earning his own living by working 



432 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



as a farm hand by the month, a pursuit 
which lie followed for six years, after which 
he began farming on his own account. 
Throughout his entire life he has carried on 
agricultural pursuits. After his marriage 
he rented a farm in Center township for 
three years, and when his labors had brought 
to him sufficient capital he purchased eighty 
acres of land in Greenfield township, com- 
prising the west half of the southwest cjuar- 
ter of section 12. Since then he has bought 
an adjoining eighty acres so that lie now 
owns an entire quarter section, a greater 
part of which he has under a high state of 
cultivation. He has tilled the place, made 
excellent improvements upon it and is now 
extensively and successfully engaged in buy- 
ing and selling stock. When he first came 
to Calhoun county with his parents the coun- 
try was full of sloughs, and there were 
thousands of muskrat houses. He tracked 
muskrats, making considerable money by 
selling their skins. The land was a tract of 
unbroken prairie and blackbirds were nu- 
merous and occasioned considerable detri- 
ment to the crops. There were also wild 
cranes and ducks and the latter furnished 
many a meal for the pioneer settlers. Severe 
storms made travel almost impossible at 
times in the winter, and Mr. Campbell re- 
members to have seen blizzards continue 
for three days when the snow was so blind- 
ing that it was almost impossible to see more 
than a few feet ahead of one. 

On the 2d of December, 1896, in Rock- 
well City, Mr. Campbell was united in mar- 
riage to Miss Charlotte Judge, who was 
born in Calhoun county. May 30, 1874, and 
is a daughter of \N'. H. and Olive A. (Da- 
vis) Judge, who were natives of Hastings, 
Sussex county, England. In their family 
were nine children : Annie, the wife of 



Thomas Leith ; John and Thomas, who died 
in infancy; Eliza, who diedr at the age of 
three years; Ellen, the wife of Frank Hulett; 
George, of Dallas county, Iowa ; Hem^y, who 
is living in Hanson ; Mrs. Campbell of this 
review ; and Elizabeth, the wife of Ben 
Campbell. The father died in July, 1889, 
but Mrs. Judge is still living, her home be- 
ing now in Manson. The marriage of our 
suliject and his wife has been blessed with 
three children : Guy F., born November 29, 
1897; Delila E., born September 4, 1899; 
and Christmas Fern, born December 29, 
1901. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell are widely 
known in Calhoun county where they have 
so long resided and their circle of friends is 
almost coextensive with their circle of ac- 
quaintances. Mr. Campbell belongs to the 
B. A. Y., and in his political views he is a 
Republican, but has never sought or desired 
office, preferring tO' give his entire attention 
to his business in which he is now meeting 
with good success, being accounted one of 
the prosperous and progressive young stock 
raisers of Calhoun countv. 



JOHN SOMERVILLE. 

The ]Moneer history of Calhoun county 
would not be complete without mention of 
John Somerville, who in connection with his 
brother-in-law and partner, Robert Glover, 
has been closely associated with agricultural 
interests in this county for many years, cov- 
ering the period of pioneer development as 
well as of later-day progress. Scotland has 
furnished many worthy sons to America, and 
the Scotch-American citizenship has ever 
been held in highest honor and counted of 
value, because thrift, industry and loyalty are 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



433 



numbered among' the sterling characteristics 
of the sons of the land of hills and heather. 

]Mr. Somerville was born in Glasgow, 
Scotland, December 31, 1840, and is a son of 
William Somerville, whose history is given 
in connection with the sketch of Robert 
Glover. In the year 1849 ^^^- Somerville 
accompanied his parents on their emigration 
to America, and for a few months he at- 
tended school in New York, but his educa- 
tional pri\-ileges in this country were very 
meager. He early began working at the ma- 
chinist's trade, which he foUoAved continu- 
■ously until after the Civil war had been in- 
augurated, when he responded to the coun- 
try's call fur aid, enlisting on the 21st of 
December, 1861, as a member of Company 
K, Ninety-fourth New York Volunteer In- 
fantry, under the command of Captain 
Littlefield and Colonel Vielie. The com- 
mand was sent to Virginia and was after- 
ward assgned to the First Corps of the Army 
of the Potomac. Pie served with the Army 
of the Potomac for four years in the First 
and Fifth Corps and was in many of the 
most important engagements of the war, 
proving his valor and loyalty on many a 
southern battle-field. In November, 1865. 
he received an honorable discharge, and the 
war having closed he was mustered out at 
Washington. 

In December of the same year Mr. Som- 
erville came to the Mississippi valley, locat- 
ing first in Illinois, and in the spring of 1866 
he came to Iowa with Charles Jones, Sam- 
uel Radley, Calvin Griffith and Robert 
Glover, with their res]>ective families. In 
connection with Mr. Glover he purchased 
land and began farming, and at dilYerent 
times they bought other lands, but have now 
disposed of much of their property. They 
liave always continued their partnership, the 



business relations between them being mutu- 
ally pleasant and profitable. Their afifairs 
ha\e been so well managed, their business 
interests so carefully conducted that they 
have met with very gratifying success. 

I\[r. Somerville has also been honored 
with public office, in which his duties have 
been discharged with the utmost fidelity and 
faithfulness. He has been county super- 
visor for two terms, also township trustee, 
and for a number of terms was assessor. He 
gives his political allegiance to the Repub- 
lican party, for his study of the platforms 
of the different parties has led him to the 
belief that its principles are l>est conducive 
to good government. He belongs to the 
Grand Army of the Republic, and thus main- 
tains pleasant relations with his old army 
comrades with whom he marched o'er south- 
ern battle-fields in defense of the Union. 



G. I. .\ND T. D. LONG. 

In the promotion and conservation of ad- 
vancement in all the normal lines of human 
progress and ci\ilization there is no factor 
which has e.vercised a more potent influence 
than the press, which is both the director and 
tlie mirror of public opinion. Iowa has been 
signally favored in the character of its news- 
papers, which have been vital, enthusiastic 
and progressive, ever aiming to advance the 
interests of this favored section of the Lnion, 
to aid in laying fast and sure the foundations 
of an enlightened commonwealth, to further 
the ends of justice and to uphold the l)an- 
ner of the Hawkeye state. In a compilation 
of this nature then, it is clearly incumbent 
that due recognition be accorded the news- 
paper press of the state. The Long Broth- 



434 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ers are well known in connection with jour- 
nalistic interests in Calhoun county, being 
the proprietors and publishers of The Jour- 
nal, of Manson, and also commercial, poster 
and blank book manufacturers. Through- 
out their business careers they have been con- 
nected with the "art preservative of arts," 
and are meeting with creditable success in 
Uieir undertakings. 

The Long Brothers are sons of Alonzo 
and Mary (Dean) Long, the former a native 
of Massachusetts, while the latter was born 
near Henly, England. The father was a 
farmer bv occupation and Ijecame one of the 
early settlers of Wisconsin, taking up his 
abode near Madison, that state, in 1850. His 
death occurred in 1862 and his widow after- 
ward became the wife of Nelson Bacon, the 
wedding taking place in Wisconsin in 1866. 
Two years later with their family they came 
to Calhoun county, settling near Rockwell 
City, where Mr. Bacon owned land, thereon 
remaining until 1882. when they took up 
their abode in Manson. The mother of out 
subject died in this city in 1900, and Mr. 
Bacon departed this life in February, 1892. 
George I. Long was born in Wisconsin 
March 14, 1859, and was a youth of nine 
years when he came with his mother and 
step-father to this county. In the common 
schools he acquired his early education, and 
after putting aside his te.xt-books entered the 
printing office in Manson in order to learn 
the trade. Since that time he has given hi-, 
entire attention to journalistic and publish- 
ing interests and has for some years been 
associated with his brother in the owner- 
ship of the Journal. 

On the 4th of January, 1884, Mr. Long 
was united in marriage to Miss Hannali 
Brown, a daughter of J. L. Brown, and they 
have two children, Irving and Illiah. So- 



cially George I. Long is connected with the 
Masonic fraternity, with the Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows and the Benevolent 
Protecti\'e Order of Elks, and in politics is 
a stalwart Re])ul)lican, doing everything in 
his power to promote the success of the 
party. From 1889 until 1893 'i^ fi^ed the 
pO'siti(jn of postmaster, and is the present 
mayor of Manson, exercising his official 
prerogatives in support of every reform 
movement and progressive measure which 
tends to promote the general good. For four 
years he has served as a member of the Re- 
publican county central committee and is 
now its secretary. His foresight and his 
ability to harmonize the working forces of 
the [jarty are marked, and have made his 
labors of much benefit in political circles. 

Thomas D. Long, the junior partner of 
the firm of Long Brothers, was born in Wis- 
consin December 4, 1861, and since 1868 
has been a resident of Calhoun county. He 
worked on the home farm through the sum- 
mer months and in the winter seasons at- 
tended the common schools, no event of spe- 
cial importance occurring to vary the routine- 
of his life in his early years. At the age of 
nineteen he left home and went into the 
printing office in Manson which his brother 
had entered three years previously and in 
which he had become the owner of a half 
interest. After working almost two years 
Tom Long" purchased the other half interest 
in the business, which has since been con- 
ducted under the firm style of Long 
Brothers. 

In June, 18S3, was celebrated the mar- 
riage of Tom Loug and Miss Maggie Crilly, 
of Webster county, Iowa, who was one of 
a family of nine children. All are yet living 
and the mother likewise survives, but the 
father has passed away. Since their mar- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



435- 



riage Mr. and Mrs. T. D. Long have re- 
sided in Mansoii and tlieir home is blessed 
with two cliildren : Beulah and Marion, 
both witli tlieir parents. The father is the 
postmaster of Manson, having tilled the po- 
sition since October, 1897, ^^'^'^ ^^^^ l^'* 
brother he is very earnest and zealous as an 
advocate of the Republican party. He also 
served for one term as mayor and two terms 
as councilman, and his labors were of much 
benefit in upholding the general welfare. Of 
the Masonic fraternity Mr. Long is also a 
representative, belonging to both the blue 
lodge and chapter. 

The brothers are associated in most of 
their business affairs. As representatives of 
the printing business they are meeting with 
good success. Their paper is published in 
the interest of the Republican party and is 
also devoted to the dissemination of local 
and general news and to the advocacy and 
support of all measures affecting the welfare 
and promotion of the city. It has a sworn 
circulation of eighteen hundred copies and is 
an excellent advertising medium. The 
brothers are also proprietors of the Long 
Hotel, and a corner brick block occupied by 
a general store, together with eight hundred 
acres of land in Iowa and Minnesota. Their 
business affairs have been capably managed 
and have resulted successfully. Without 
ostentation or any desire for praise they have 
labored most earnestly for the welfare of 
Manson, and tlieir eft'orti; have redounded to 
the credit and benefit of the city. 



GORDON W. RANDLETT. 

In no country on the face of the globe is 
there a school system which equals that of 
America. Learning is more universal and 



knowledge is not confined to the class of cili- 
zens wlio' possess wealth. To each child liv- 
ing in America educational jjrivileges are 
oft'ered which fit him for the i)ractical and 
responsible duties of life, and no state in the 
Union can boast better school work than 
Iowa. To this result Professor Randlett, as 
principal of the schools of Pomeroy, has 
contributed his share, and his reputation as 
an instructor is by no means local. He is 
well fitted for the life work he has chosen, 
having the ability to impart clearly and read- 
ily to others the knowledge be has acquired. 
His efforts have been effective in promoting 
the standard of the schools in this place, and 
both as teacher and as a citizen he commands 
the good w'ill and confidence of all with 
whom he has been associated. 

Mr. Randlett was born in the province 
of Quebec, on a farm seventy-four miles east 
of Montreal, his natal day l>eing November 
7, 1868. His father, J. H. Randlett, was 
also a native of Canada, but the mother 
of our subject, who bore the maiden name 
of Hannah Jackman, was a native of New 
York. While residing in Canada J. H. 
Randlett devoted his attention to agricult- 
ural pursuits, and in the fall of 1878 he 
l)rought his family to Iowa, settling in 
Mitchell county, where he purchased a farm, 
carrying on the place until 1892, when he 
retired from Inisiness life and took up his 
abode in Orchard, Iowa. He is ncnv about 
seventy-six years of age and his wife has 
reached the age of seventy-two. They are 
people of the highest respectability and hold 
membership in the Congregational church. 
They became the parents of four children, 
namely: G. J., who is a farmer and brick 
and stone mason and resides in Floyd coun- 
ty. Iowa ; Mary, who married F. H. Craw- 
ford, of Mitchell couiitv, Iowa; Alice, the 



436 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Avife of A. H. Sargent, who passed away 
February 22, 1900; and Gordon W., our 
subject. 

Gordon \V. Randlett obtained his early 
icducation in Canada and continued his 
studies in Mitchell county, Iowa, whither he 
came with his parents when a lad of ten 
summers. When nineteen years of age he 
■entered the Cedar \'alley Seminary at Osage, 
Iowa, where he spent one year and then 
matriculated in the State Agricultural Col- 
lege at Ames, Iowa, completing the work 
•of the sophomore year. In 188 1 he accepted 
a position as principal of the schools at 
Roland, Story county, Iowa, where he re- 
mained for twO' years and then entered the 
normal school at Cedar Falls, in which he 
was graduated with the class of 1895 with 
the degree of M. D. In the fall of 1895 he 
.accepted the position of principal of the 
schools of Nora Springs and continued in 
charge at that place for two years, when in 
the fair of 1897 he came to Pomeroy as su- 
perintendent. Here he has since remained, 
anil now has seven teachers under his direc- 
tion. His own zeal and enthusiasm for his 
work inspires 1x)th teachers and pupils, and 
luider his direction the school is making sat- 
isfactory progress. 

On the 22d of June, 1898, was celebrated 
the marriage of Professor Randlett and Miss 
Emma Pitts, who was born in Nora Springs, 
June 17, 1873, and is a daughter of H. E. 
and Etta Pitts, residents of Nora Springs, 
where the father is proprietor of a planing 
mill. ]\Irs: Randlett has two sisters living. 
She was one of a family of five children, 
the other two having died in infancy. The 
home of our subject and his wife has been 
blessed with a little daughter, Mary, born 
Deceml>er i, ^899. Professor Randlett 
holds membership in the Knights of Pythias 



lodge at Nora Springs. In his political 
views he has always been a Republican. He 
belongs to the Baptist church, in which he 
is serving as trustee and deacon and is also 
superintendent of the Sunday-school. He 
and his wife occupy a very prominent posi- 
tion in social circles where true worth and 
intelligence are received as the passports into 
good society. He has done much to promote 
tlie intellectual culture of the community 
and through his unassiiming manner, genial 
disposition and unfailing courtesy he has be- 
come very popular and made many warm 
friends. 



A. A. WILLIAMS. 



A. A. Williams, who carries on general 
farming on section 2, Lincoln to\^nship, is 
a native of the Keystone state, his l)irth hav- 
ing occurred in Center county, Pennsyl- 
vania, on the 19th of April, 1842, his par- 
ents being George and Mary (Adams) Will- 
iams. The \\'illiams family is of Welsh 
origin, although the strain became mixed 
with German blood in colonial times. It is 
said that the paternal ancestors of our sub- 
ject were connected with the Pilgrim fa- 
thers, who made an early settlement upon 
the .Vtlantic coast, and that they were sword- 
makers who engaged in the manufacture of 
swords for the colonial army during the 
Revolutionary war. The grandfather of 
our subject was a cousin oi Abraham Lin- 
coln. The parents of our suliject were Iwrn 
in Center county, where the father carried 
on agricultural pursuits. In the year 1854 
they emigrated westward, settling in Lee 
county, lllimus, where 'Mr. Williams pur- 
chased land and carried on farming for 
many years. He died at the advanced age of 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



437 



ninety, in the year 1891, and his wife passed 
away jn 1893. at the age of eiglity-four 
years. In their family were six chilth^en : 
EUis I., who for several years was a Pull- 
man conductor, but at present is employed 
as a bookkeeper in a wholesale house in Chi- 
cago; J. F., who served as an army surgeon 
in the Civil war and since 1868 has been en- 
gaged in the practice of medicine and sur- 
gery ; Nancy, the wife of Hollis Prescott, of 
Dixon, Illinois ; Clara, the widow of J. P. 
Goodrich, a resident of Dixon; and Julius 
C, who owns and operates a farm near 
Dixon. 

In the public schools of Pennsylvania A. 
A. Williams acquired his elementary edu- 
cation, which was supplemented by study in 
the schools of Lee county, Illinois. Through- 
out his entire life he has followed farming. 
At one time he began the study of medicine, 
but did not find it congenial and abandoned 
it, returning to the farm. He was married 
in Dixon, Illinois, March 24, 1862, to Hettie 
E. Rosebrook, who was born at the foot of 
the White mountains in New Hampshire, 
her birthplace being Manchester. Her par- 
ents were also natives of the old Granite 
state and in 1854 they became residents of 
Illinois, where they spent their remaining 
days. The members of their faniily are : 
Mrs. Mary Ackert, of Manson ; F. D., who 
is living in Chicago; Mrs. Anda Ackert, of 
Dixon; Lucius, of Oskaloosa, Iowa; and 
Emma, the wife of James Ilawley, of Lori- 
mer, Iowa. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Williams 
have been born five children : Mrs. Nellie 
Hyde, who resides on a farm near ]\Ianson 
and has three children. Evelyn, \\'ayne and 
an infant; George M., born November 15, 
1875; Lottie, the wife of All)ert Calmer, of 
Lincoln township; Evelyn, who was born 



September 20, 1884; and Ellis R., born No- 
vember 3, 1880. 

Mr. and Mrs. Williams jjegan their do- 
mestic life in Lee county, Illinois, wdiere they 
remained for four years and then came to 
Calhoun county, settling in Lincoln town- 
ship, which has since been their home. The 
year of their arrival was 1876. 'Sir. Will- 
iams purchased two hundred acres of land, 
all of which he has placed under cultivation 
and with characteristic energ}- began the 
further de\'elopment of his farm. For six- 
teen years he has been engaged in the breed- 
ing of high grade short-horn cattle and does 
his own shipping. He also raises Poland 
China hogs and makes a shipment once a 
year. His business interests are carefully 
conducted, for he is a man of sound judg- 
ment and keen foresight. He forms his 
plans readily and is determined in their ex- 
ecution, and through honorable and persist- 
ent effort he has gained a place among the 
representative men of his adopted county. 
Both Mr. and Mrs. Williams attend the 
Methodist Episcopal church, of Manson, of 
which the lady is a member. He is an ad- 
vocate of Republican principles and never 
fails to support the party by liis ballot. He 
has served as constable and as school di- 
rector, and socially he is connected with 
Morning' Light Lodge, F. & A. M.,, of 
Manson. 



w. c. Mcculloch. 

W. C. McCulloch was born in Canada, 
in county Dundas, May 25, 1862, his par- 
ents being William and Prudence (Johnson) 
McCulloch, who were of Scotch and Irish 



438 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



lineag-e. The father was a farmer by occu- 
pation and in 1864 removed with his family 
to Rock county, Wisconsin. There he re- 
sided for al)out six years, and in October, 
1870, came to Calhoun county. Iowa, set- 
tling at Twin Lakes, where the father pur- 
chased a homestead claim. In 1896 he took 
up his abode in the town of Pomeroy. where 
he is still living; in his seventy-seventh year. 
His wife, however, passed away in 1899. 
Throughout his business career he carried 
on agricultural pursuits and his well di- 
rected efforts brought to him a comfortable 
competence. In his family were six children. 
of whom three reside in this locality : W. 
C, of this review; Annie, now Mrs. Blake; 
and Johnson, who is a clerk in a hardware 
store in Pomeroy. 

The educational advantages which our 
subject received were very limited, for at 
an early age lie began to work on the farm 
and since that time has depended entirely 
upon his own resources for a li\ing. In 1881 
he began farming on his own account at 
Twin Lakes and also dealt in stock, meet- 
ing with a gratifying degree of success in 
both branches of his business. In 1888 he 
left the farm and entered the employ of the 
firm of Moody & Davy, taking charge of 
their large ranch in Pocahontas county. In 
the spring of 1893 he removed to Pomeroy 
and continued in the service of Moody & 
Davy, supervising their ranch in connection 
with his duties in this place. On the ist of 
January, 1894, however, he embarked in 
business on his own account as a dealer in 
liardware and machinery, in connection with 
Oliver Tall, but in the fall of 1899 he sold 
his interest to O. A. Merrill. In 1900 he 
purchased one-half of Mr. Tail's interest, 
and the firm is now Tall, Merriir& Com- 
pany. In .\i)ril of the same year Mr. Mc- 



Culloch purchased the business of Drommer 
& Myers, dealers in farm implements and 
machinery, but in October of the same year 
he sold that stock to the firm of Drommer 
& Dodge, and on the ist of January, 1902, 
he disposed of his interest in the hardware 
store to Mr. Tall. He is now engaged in 
buying and selling stock and is an excellent 
judge of stock, so that his investments are 
carefully made and bring to him a good re- 
turn. While connected with the firm of 
Moody & Davy he became interested in buy- 
ing and selling land and has since dealt in 
real esate to some e.xtent. In connection 
with his other interests he is now the vice- 
president and one of the directors of the 
First National Bank. 

On the nth of July, 1S84. Mr. :\IcCul- 
loch was united in marriage to Miss Lura 
E. Freeman, who was born March 27, 1865, 
and is a daughter of IMarcus Freeman, a 
farmer of Calhoun county. Mr. and Mrs. 
McCulloch now have one son, Roy, who was 
born September 26, 1885, and is a student 
in the Pomeroy schools. In his political 
views Mr. McCulloch is a stalwart Repub- 
lican and has served for six years as a mem- 
ber of the city council, while for three years 
he was a member of the school board of 
Pomerov. Fraternally he is connected with 
Solar Lodge, No. 475, A. F. & A. M., and 
he and his family are Methodists in religious 
faith. He had erected a new residence and 
had his household goods stored in his barn 
ready to move into the new home when the 
memorable cyclone of July 6, 1893, swept 
over the town and carried away with it 
his barn, his home and all his possessions. 
He had three cousins who were killed in the 
storm. Mr. McCulloch was the second per- 
son to build after the cyclone had swept over, 
his characteristic energy in this regard be- 




J. W. SEAY. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



439 



ing an index to his entire life. In liis busi- 
ness affairs he lias Ijeen determined, purpose- 
ful and energ-etic. brooking no obstacle that 
could be overcome liy Imnorable effort and 
resolution. Tlius he has advanced steadily 
from an humble financial position to one of 
affluence. He owes his success entirely to 
his own eft'orts and from early boyhood he 
had been dependent upon his own resources 
for all that he has acquired and enjoyed. 
His example in this regard is certainly 
worthy of emulation and should serve as a 
source of encouragement to others who, at 
the outset of their careers, are forced to 
face the world without the aid of wealth or 
influential friends. 



CAPTAIN JAMES W. SEAY. 

This well known farmer resitling on sec- 
tion 35, Jackson township, dates his resi- 
dence in Iowa from April, 1846. and since 
1882 he has made his home in Calhoun coun- 
ty. He was born in Washington county, 
Virginia, on the 3d of March, 1822, and is 
a son of Captain Warren M. Seay, who 
was also a native of the Old Dominion, his 
birth having occurred on the James river in 
Powhattan county in 1781. The family is 
of French origin and was founded in Vir- 
ginia in old colonial days. Our subject's 
paternal grandfather, Michael Seay, was 
born in that state and was one of the valiant 
men who fought so bravely for American in- 
dependence during the Revolutionary war. 
His son, Warren M., held a captain's com- 
mission in the war of 181 2 and served with 
distinction in that struggle. The latter was 
married in his native state to Mrs. Mary 
Jackson, whose first husband was also a sol- 



dier of the war of 181 2 and died at Nor- 
folk, Virginia. Her maiden name was Mary 
Holsapple, and she was burn in Pennsyl- 
vania, but reared in the Old Dominion. In 
1846 Captain Warren M. Seay, accom- 
panied by his wife and children, came to 
Iowa and settled in Jefferson county, where 
he spent three years. He then started for 
Jasper county, but on the removal to that 
place was accidentally killed. His wife sur- 
vived him a number of years. Thev were 
the parents of si.x children, three sons and 
three daughters, all of whom reached mature 
years and became residents of Jasper coun- 
ty, Iowa, but Only our subject and his brother 
John M. are now living. The latter still 
makes his home in Jasper county. < 

In his native state James W. Seay grew 
to manhood upon a farm and in early life 
joined the Virginia State Militia, in which 
he rose to the rank of captain. On the ist 
of March, 1846, he was united in marriage 
with Miss Mary Owens, who was also born 
in Washington county, and the day follow- 
ing their marriage they started west with his 
father's family, arriving in Burlington, 
Iowa, on the 15th of April. Our subject 
first located in Jefferson county, seven miles 
w^est of Fairfield, where he engaged in farm- 
ing on rented land for three years, and in 
the spring of 1849 removed to Jasper coun- 
ty. Entering one hundred and sixty acres 
of land near the present town of Monroe, 
he broke, fenced and improved that place, 
and engaged in its operation for almost a 
third of a century. On selling that place in 
1882 he came to Calhoun county and pur- 
chased his present farm, which at that time 
was fairly improved, and to its further de- 
velopment and cultivation he has since de- 
voted his energies. He has remodeled the 
residence and outbuildings, and has made 



440 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



many other useful and valuable improve- 
ments. There is a good bearing- orchard of 
two hundred trees of a nice variety, besides 
a large maple grove, which adds greatly to 
the beauty of the place. 

Captain Seay and wife have six children, 
namely : Elizabeth, now the wife of Mr. 
Clice, of Nebraska; Jesse, a farmer of Car- 
roll county, Iowa ; James W., who assists in 
farming the home place; Mary E., wife of 
Edward Miles, of Lake City; John T. C, 
also a resident of Lake City; and Beverly 
J. C, who is married and lives on the home 
farm with his parents. 

Since casting his first presidential vote 
for General Lewis Cass, Captain Seay has 
never wavered in his allegiance to the Dem- 
ocratic party, and while a resident of Jasper 
county, Iowa, served as constable, super- 
visor, road commissioner and a member of 
the school board. His official duties were 
most creditably and satisfactorily performed, 
and as a public-spirited and progressive citi- 
zen he has done all in his power to ad- 
vance the interests of the communities with 
which he has been connected. During the 
long years of his residence in this state he 
has watched with interest its growth and ad- 
vancement, and has materially aided in the 
development of the localities where his lot 
has been cast. 



F. L. CAMPBELL. 



F. L. Campbell is one of the most promi- 
nent young men of Knierim, Iowa, where he 
is now successfully engaged in the harness 
business. A native of Illinois, his birth oc- 
curred in Champaign county, that state, on 
the 22d of March, 1878. His father, James 



M. Campbell, was Ixirn near Ripley, Brown 
county, Ohio, November 11, 1834, and in 
1856 removed to Illinois, where he was mar- 
ried in 1863 to Miss Sarah O. Cook. His 
parents were Washington and Elnora 
(Lilly) Campbell, both natives of Virginia. 
TInx)Ughout his active business life James 
M. Campbell followed farming in Hensley 
township. Champaign county, Illinois, where 
he owned and operated a valuable farm of 
two hundred acres, but in 1898 he laid aside 
all labor and removed to the city of Cham- 
paign, where he spent the remainder of his 
life in ease and quiet, enjoying the fruits of 
former toil. He died November 27, 1901, 
honored and respected by all who knew him, 
having survived his wife several years, her 
death having occurred in 1884. They were 
the parents of five children, namely: Jen- 
nette L., now tlie wife of John Kenworthy, 
of Ogden, Illinois; William M., who lives 
on the old homestead in Chainpaign county ; 
Minnie M., wife of D. Crouch, of Ogden, 
Iowa; Frank L., our subject; and Sarah O., 
a resident of Ogden, Illinois. 

The early education of our subject was 
acquired in his native county in the district 
schools, which h-e attended during the win- 
ter months, while throughout the summer 
season he aided in the work of field and 
meadow on the home farm. Desiring to see 
more of the world, he left home at the age 
of sixteen years, and in March, 1894, arrived 
in Davenport, Scott county, Iowa, where he 
was in the employ of the general mercantile 
firm of Peterson & Company for a short 
time. He next worked on a farm near Ben- 
nett, Iowa, for eighteen dollars per month. 
His father having sent for him, he returned 
to the parental roof on the loth of December, 
1894, having been gone about seven months, 
and in that time having acquired some les- 





G. C. WRIGHT 



J. B. WARTCHOW. 





F. L. CAMPBELL. 



D. H. FRENCH. 





O. L. HEDLUND. 



H. C. MOORE. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



443 



sons in self-reliance and industry, which 
liave been of benefit to him in his subse- 
quent business career. On his return liome 
lie took charge of the farm, wliich he and 
liis brother operated in partnership during 
the years 1898 and 1899, having rented it 
from his father. 

On the 14th of February, 1900, Mr. 
Campbell came to Lake City, Calhoun coun- 
ty. Iowa, where he worked at his trade of 
harness-making for J. B. Jones until the fol- 
lowins: December, when he removed to 
Knierim, Iowa, and opened the first exclu- 
sive harness store in the town. He already 
has a well establislied trade, being a very 
wide-awake, energetic and progressive citi- 
zen, and the success that has crowned his ef- 
forts is certainly w'ell deserved. Fraternally 
Mr. Campbell is a member of the Modern 
Woodmen of America, the Brotherhood of 
American Yeoman, and the Independent Or- 
der of Odd Fellows; and politically is a 
stanch supporter of the Republican party. 
]-'ul)lic-spirited and progressive, he never 
withholds his aid from any enterprise which 
he believes will prove of public benefit or 
will in any way advance the general welfare. 



OBED E. BASSETT. 

Obcd E. Bassett, who is engaged in gen- 
eral farming in Reading township, was born 
in Defiance county, Ohio, on the 4th of No- 
vember, 1853, and is the son of Elias and 
Jane Bassett, the former a native of Eng- 
land, while the latter was born on the Em- 
erald Isle. The father w'as a farmer Ijy oc- 
cupation, and when a young man crossed the 
Atlantic to the new world. After residing 
in Ohio for some years he decided to cast 

25 



in his lot with the residents of Iowa, and 
in 1853 arrived in Winneshiek county. He 
also lived in Decatur county, this state, and 
in 1873 was called to his final rest. In his 
family were eight children, of whom six 
sons and a daughter are yet living. 

Obed E. Bassett grew to manhood in 
Iowa and in the district schools he pursued 
his education, enjoying the pleasures of the 
playgrounds with all the zest of his youth. 
The first land which he ever owned was a 
tract of eighty acres on section 15, Read- 
ing township. This formed the nucleus of 
his present valuable possessions. As oppor- 
tunity has afforded he has added to his farm 
until he now owns three hundred and eight- 
een acres of land in Reading township. He 
has from sixty-five to> one hundred acres 
planted to corn and sixty-five acres to small 
grain and the rich soil of Iowa yields to him 
a splendid return f(jr the care and cultiva- 
tion he bestows upon it. He has also quite 
extensively engaged in stock-raising, having 
a large drove of hogs, while from fifty to 
one hundred head of cattle are found upon 
his place each year. All that he possesses 
has been acquired through his own efforts 
and well has he gained the title of a self- 
made man. 

It was on the 26th of February, 1880, 
that Obed E. Bassett was united in mar- 
riage to Miss Lovina Gammon, of Decatur 
county. Iowa, and unto them have been born 
two children, Horace W. and Laura F. Mr. 
Bassett usually gi\-es his political support to 
the Republican party, but is not bitterly ag- 
gressive. He has never been an aspirant for 
office, preferring to devote his energies to 
his business interests. His life has been 
characterized by unllagging industry. Re- 
alizing that there is no easy road to wealth, 
lie set to work to accomplish through his 



444 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



own efforts the ad\-ancement wliich he de- 
sired and graduahy he has worked his way 
upward. As the architect of liis own for- 
tunes he has lauilded wisely and well. 



H. MULLARKY, M. D. 

One of the most popular, capable and 
■well known physicians of Calhoun county 
is Dr. H. Mullarky, who was born in But- 
ler county, Iowa, January i6, 1865. He is 
yet a young man, but has attained a reputa- 
tion which many an older practitioner might 
well envy. His parents were H. and Mar- 
garet (Giblin) IMullarky, the former born 
in Galway, Ireland, in 1825, the later m 
Burlington, Vermont. On becoming a resi- 
dent of the Prairie state the father took up 
his abode upon a farm in Stephenson coun- 
ty, Illinois, becoming one of its honored pio- 
neer settlers. His nearest market at that 
time was Chicago and the region in which 
he made his home was largely wild and un- 
improved. At the time of the gold excite- 
ment in California he crossed the plains to 
the Pacific coast, and in 1855 he became a 
resident of Butler county, Iowa, where he 
secured land from the government, making 
his home thereon until his death. In her 
widowhood Mrs. Mullarky moved to Oma- 
ha, Nebraska, where she is still living with 
her daughter, Mrs. John H. Storey. The 
Doctor's parents had a family of eight chil- 
dren : John, who is engaged in the oil busi- 
ness in California ; Frank, who is living on 
the old homestead in Butler county, Iowa; 
Dr. W. G., who married Lena De Wolf and 
resides in Grundy county, Iowa; Ella, the 
wife of John A. Storey, of Omaha, Ne- 
braska; Margaret, the deceased wife of 



Henry Meyers, of Butler county ; the Doc- 
tor; E. E., who is proprietor of the city 
pharmacy in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma ; 
and A. A., who is a bookkeeper in Chicago. 

Doctor Mullarky began his education in 
the public schools of Butler county and 
afterward became a student in the Iowa State 
University, at Iowa City, in which he was 
graduated with the class of 1889. He first 
began practice in Laurel, Marshall county, 
Iowa, where he remained a short time, and 
later he was located in Minnesota and after- 
ward in Nebraska. Subsequently he re- 
moved to Oklahoma, but in the fall of 1892 
returned to his native state and established 
an office in Manson, where he has practiced 
continuously since, enjoying a constantly in- 
creasing patronage. In 1896 he opened a 
pharmacy and that branch of business is also 
proving a profitable source of income to him. 
At present he is serving as physician for the 
Rock Island Railroad Company at this place, 
has been pension examiner and is now city 
health officer of Manson. 

On the 23d of May, 1894, was cele- 
brated the marriage of Doctor ]\Iullarky and 
Dorothy O. Le Moine, a native of Ohio, 
and a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Louis Le 
Moine, who are residents of this city. Our 
subject and his wife now have two children, 
Margaret and Joseph. In his political affil- 
iations the Doctor is a Democrat, but is not 
bitterly aggressive. He owns landed pos- 
sessions in Minnesota, together with his 
pleasant home in Manson. Socially he is 
connected with the Knights of Pythias fra- 
ternity, the Modern Woodmen of America, 
and the Benevolent Protective Order of 
Elks. All that tends to bring to man the 
key to the mystery which we call life elicits 
his earnest interest, and he has carried his 
investigations far and wide into the realms 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



445 



of medical knowledge. He keeps in touch 
with the advanced thought oi the day 
through his connection with the Fort Dodge 
District Medical Society and the Iowa State 
Medical Society. 



MARTIN YAGEN. 



Although Switzerland covers but a com- 
paratively small area, it has always produced 
men of virile strength, of indomitable pur- 
pose, of unflagging courage and unques- 
tioned loyalty. Mr. Yagen is a representa- 
tive of. the land of the Alps, his birth hav- 
ing occurred in Switzerland on the 5th of 
May, 1838, and the characteristics of the 
people of that mountainous country are man- 
ifested in his career. His father, Chris- 
topher Yagen, marled Lizzie Raber and 
both spent their entire lives in Switzerland, 
the father following agricultural pursuits as 
a means of support for his family. Unto 
the parents of our subject were born five 
children. John married Margaret Yost and 
resides in Switzerland. Anna is the de- 
ceased wife of John Hitz, who came to 
America in 1859. She had pledged her hand 
to him in marriage before he sailed for the 
new world, and in i860 she joined him in 
this land, their wedding taking place in Wis- 
consin. Martin is the third of the family. 
Marv is the wife of Nicholas Yost and re- 
sides in Switzerland. Jake married Kath- 
arine Leate and is also living in Switzerland. 

l"iie public schools of his native country 
furnished Martin Yagen the educational 
•privileges which he enjoyed. He attended 
school until seventeen years of age, and then 
engaged in farming. Later he came to 
America, establishing his home in Chicago, 



where he was engaged in the lumber busi- 
ness on the canal for three months. He next 
removed to Des Moines, Iowa, where he 
was engaged in railroad work, in mining 
coal and in the slaughtering business. He 
was willing to accept any honorable employ- 
ment that wouUl give him a living. There 
was only one railroad in Des Moines at the 
time of his arrival there. He remained in 
Polk cpunty for about five years, and then 
removed to Fort Dodge, Webster county, 
where he secured work in the John Cole 
Brewery. For two years after his marriage 
he continued to reside in Webster county 
upon a farm near Fort Dodge, and then 
came tO' Calhoun county, locating in Green- 
field township, where he rented land, con- 
tinuing its cultivation for five years. He 
then removed to Cedar township, where he 
purchased one hundred and seventy-seven 
and a half acres of raw prairie land, for 
which he paid six dollars per acre. Upon 
the farm he built a small house, sixteen by 
eighteen feet, also a barn, and with char- 
acteristic energy began the cultivation of his 
land, which year after year returned to him 
good crops as a result of careful plowing, 
planting and harvesting. For eighteen years 
he resided upon that farm antl many changes 
occurred in its appearance, owing to the ex- 
cellent buildings which he erected and the 
impro\'ements which he introduced. He 
built a handsome home and large commodi- 
ous barns, cattle sheds and other outbuild- 
ings. When eighteen years had passed, how- 
ever, he sold this farm and in 1898 moved 
to Manson, where he purchased two and a 
half acres, upon which he erected a good 
modern residence. Here he is now living 
retired and his rest is well earned and richly 
merited. 

While in Fort Dodge Mr. Yagen was 



446 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



married on the nth of October, 1873, to 
Miss Fredericka Brand, who was born in 
Germany December 15. 1853. and is the 
daughter of August Brand. They have no 
children of their own, but have one adopted 
son, Wilham, who was born in Greene coun- 
ty, Iowa, September 18, 1876, and is now 
living on Mr. Yagen's farm in Cedar town- 
ship. Mr. Yagen has been elected to office, 
but absolutely refused to qualify, never de- 
siring or seeking political preferment. As 
a private citizen, however, he faithfully per- 
forms all public duties conserving the gen- 
eral good, and when he votes he supports 
men and measures rather than party. He 
attends the Methodist Episcopal church, and 
is known as one whose influence is only on 
the side of right and progress. 



J. BROWN McCRARY. 

There is no calling which has more im- 
portant bearing upon the condition of man 
in his social and business relations than the 
law which is the conservator of the rights 
and liberties, the life and property of the 
individual. It is therefore to be classed 
among the most important of the professions 
and the lawyer who exemplifies the true 
spirit of the calling cannot but be a man of 
high character, worthy the regard of his fel- 
low men. Occupying an enviable position 
at the Calhoun county bar. Mr. McCrary has 
a distinctively representative clientage and 
has been connected with the trial of many 
important causes in the courts of his district. 

A native of Illinois, he was born in War- 
ren county, November 9. i860. His father, 
Andrew McCrary, was born in South Caro- 
lina, and after arriving at years of maturity 



he married Elizabeth Cunningham, whose 
birth occurred near Salem, Illinois. He 
came to this state about 1832, settling on a 
farm in Marion, and in 1852 he removed to 
Warren county, Illinois, going- to Keo- 
kuk county, Iowa, in 1867, where he 
spent five years, and arriving in Cal- 
houn county in 1873. His children were 
Sarah J., the deceased wife of Will- 
iam Moore ; Matthew, who is living in 
Lake City ; Thomas, a resident farmer of 
Calhoun county ; Joseph, who is engaged in 
mining- in New Mexico; Margaret, who re- 
sides in Calhoun county ; Ella, who died in 
1876; and J. Brown. James and Sidney 
both died in 1877 of diphtheria; and the 
father passed away in February. 1884. 

Coming to this county in early life the 
subject of this review pursued his early ed- 
ucation in the public schools and later be- 
came a student in the academy of Iowa City. 
In 1886 he was admitted to tlie bar and the 
same year went tq Kansas, where he re- 
mained for a year. He also spent one year 
in the state of Washington, in partnership 
with Judge Long, and in 1888 he returned 
to Lake City, where he entered into part- 
nership with M. R. McCrary. Our subject 
has since practiced in this place and his de- 
votion to his clients' interests is proverbial. 
He prepares his cases with painstaking care 
and thoroughness and is thus well ciualified 
to meet every possible point of attack. He 
is logical and has a keen analytical mind, so 
that his mastery of the principles of juris- 
prudence has insured him success. 

In 1892 Mr. McCrary was elected a dele- 
gate to the state convention of the Repub- 
lican party, but a change in his pnliticat 
views caused him to make cami)aign ad- 
dresses in support of Bryan througliout Min- 
nesota in 1896. In 1899 he was elected 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



447 



mayor of Lake City and his administration 
proved practical, progressive and satisfac- 
tory to his fellow townsmen. He exercised 
his official prerogatives in support of every 
measure which he believed would promote 
the general good and whether in office or 
out of it he is known as a loyal citizen who 
has the welfare of his community at heart. 
His circle of friends in Lake City and Cal- 
houn county is very extensive, and all who 
know him esteem him for his professional 
ability, his sterling worth and his manv ex- 
cellencies of character. 



DR. L. E. ESLICK. 



Dr. L. E. Eslick, who is occupying a 
position of distinction among the successful 
physicians and surgeons of Rockwell City, 
is a western man who in his life typities the 
spirit of progress and enterprise that, com- 
ing as the combined efforts of many men, 
has led to the substantial improvement and 
upbuilding of this great section of the coun- 
try. He was born thirty-four years ago, at 
Elk Point. South Dakota, and his early ed- 
ucation was acquired in the schools of that 
state and in Iowa. He spent eighteen 
months in preparing for the ministry of the 
United Brethren* church at Otterbein Sem- 
inary, Dayton, Ohio, continuing his studies 
at Indianapolis, in the years 1887, 1888 and 
1889. For five years he filled pulpits at Day- 
ton, Carlisle, Iowa, and Lacona, Iowa. In 
1890 he was ordained to the ministry and' 
completed his ministerial course on the 28th 
of September, 1893, after which he was or- 
dained as an elder in the United Brethren 
church. He was elected conference mission- 
ary and scretary in 1891. and acted in that 



capacity continuously until 1894, when he! 
resigned to take up the practice of medicine 
in Rockwell City, for he believed that the 
work of alleviating human suffering and re- 
storing health would be more congenial than 
the work of the ministry. While serving 
as pastor at Carlisle he took up the study of 
medicine in King's Eclectic Medical Col- 
lege at Des Moines, in 1889, and was grad- 
uated in 1 89 1. That school was then at- 
tached to Drake University. He afterward 
practiccfl for l)rief periods in Iowa and in 
Lucas counties of this state and in 1893 ''"^ 
1894 he pursued a post-graduate course in 
the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati. 
He also was attending physician for a period 
of time on diseases of women and children 
in the Cincinnati City Hospital. It was 
upon the 19th of July, 1894, "that he opened 
an office in Rockwell City, where he is now 
engaged in the practice of medicine, meet- 
ing with excellent success in his under- 
takings. 

On the 5th of June, 1896, the Doctor 
wedded Miss Ella Bass, of Dayton, Ohio. 
He is a close, earnest, discriminating student 
of the science of medicine and his knowledge 
is broad and comprehensive. By reading he 
keeps in touch wth the advanced thought 
of the profession and his skill and ability 
is manifest in the liberal patronage which is 
accorded him. 



JOHN W. GREGG. 



John W. Gregg, whose home is in Lake 
Creek township, was born on the 8th of No- 
vember, 1856. in Red Rock, Marion county, 
Iowa, and is a worthy representative of an 

old and honored family of Calhoun county, 



448 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



his parents being Tillman P. and Melissa 
(Grubb) Gregg, both natives of Ohio. His 
paternal grandfather was Dr. Finley Gregg, 
a physician who died in Michigan. As a 
life work the father of our subject chose 
farming. He served for four years as a 
loyal soldier in the Union army in the Civil 
war. From Michigan he removed to Marion 
county, Iowa, at an early day. and in 1869 
came to Calhoun county, which at that time 
was almost an unbroken wilderness, and he 
was the first to locate between Rockwell City 
and Twin Lakes. Here he spent the re- 
mainder of his life, and was actively identi- 
fied with the country's development and 
prosperity. He first purchased two hun- 
dred acres of land and later bought and sold 
several farms. In his political views he was 
a strong Repul^lican, and he took a very 
prominent and influential part in public af- 
fairs, being a member of the board of su- 
pervisors si.x years and county treasurer four 
years. It was while he was filling the lat- 
ter office that the county seat was removed 
from Lake City to Rockwell City. He was 
a recognized leader in political affairs, and 
did all in his power to advance the interests 
of his adopted county and promote the gen- 
eral prosperity. Religiously he was a mem- 
ber of the Christian church. He died on 
the 3d of March, 1901, and in his death the 
community realized that it had lost a valued 
and useful citizen. His wife survives him 
and is now living with a daughter in this 
county. Of the children born to them 
Martha is now deceased. Those living are 
Emaline, John W.. James A., Samuel K., 
Kate, ^\'alter S., Lydia, Sarah Jane and 
Stephen. 

During his boyhood Julm W. Gregg ac- 
companied his parents on their removal to 
Calhoun countv and received his education 



in the schools of this county. Throughout 
his active business life he has followed gen- 
eral farming, and in connection with the op- 
eration of his own farm, consisting of eighty 
acres, he also cultivates another tract of the 
same size which he rents. He raises from 
fifty to sixty acres of corn, and from forty 
to fifty acres of small grain, and leaves the 
remainder for pasture and meadow. He 
keeps from twenty-five to forty head of cat- 
tle and owns a fine full-blooded Hereford 
bull, preferring that breed of stock. 

In March, 1886, Mr. Gregg was united 
in marriage with ^liss Margaret Simpson, 
a native of Jasper county, Iowa, and a 
daughter of William and Hannah Simpson, 
and by this union have been born five chil- 
dren, as follows: Eva L., Ethel, Paul T., 
Lola and Robert C. In politics Mr. Gregg 
is a Republican, and in religious faith is 
identified with the Holiness people, being 
non-sectarian in belief. 



JOHN A. C. TAYLOR. 

Prominent among the representative 
farmers and highlv esteemed citizens of Jack- 
son township is numbered John A. C. Tay- 
lor, who now owns and operates a valuable 
farm of two hundred and seventy-four acres 
on sections 19 and 20. He came to Iowa 
in 1859 and has made his home in Calhoun 
county since 18S5. A native of Indiana, 
he was born in Grant county, that state, on 
the 22d of Xo\'ember. 185 1. and belongs to 
a good old Xorth Carolina family of English 
origin. His great-grandfather, William 
Taylor, was a native of the latter state, as 
was also his grandfather, James B. Taylor, 
while his father. William T. Tavlor, was 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



449 



born in Guilford county, X'orth Carolina, 
September 23. i82(S. In 1835 the grandfa- 
ther removed with his family to Indiana and 
located in Grant county, being one of the 
first settlers of that locality. He was a me- 
chanic and engaged in the manufacture and 
repair of wagons and furniture. 

In the Hoosier state William J. Taylor 
grew to manhood,' and there married Miss 
Rebecca J.Hindman. a native of Grant coun- 
ty. During early life he followed the mil- 
ler's trade for a number of years, and after 
coming to Iowa in 1859 operated a flouring 
mill in Montgomery county for seventeen 
years. He also engaged in farming tO' some 
extent, and continued his residence there un- 
til 1890, since which time he has made his 
home with our subject in Calhoun county. 

Mr. Taylor of this review came with 
his parents to Iowa when eight years of age, 
and remained with his father until his mar- 
riage, his education being acquired in the 
common schools of Montgomery county. 
Before he attained his majority he was mar- 
ried, Septeniljer 11, 1872, to Miss Effie S. 
Wilkins, who was born at Naperville, Du 
Page county, Illinois, but was reared and 
educated in Iowa, being a teacher prior to 
her marriage. Her father. Rev. Anson T. 
Wilkins, was a native of New York and an 
early settler of Illinois, whence he came to 
Iowa in 1854, taking up his residence in 
Benton county. For years he served as a 
minister of the Evangelical church, but is 
now living a retired life, enjoying a well- 
earned rest. 

For two years after his marriage Mr. 
Taylor engaged in farming on rented land 
in Montgomery county. Iowa, and then pur- 
chased a place, which he operated until 1885, 
when he sold out and came to Calhoun, coun- 
ty, buying at that time one hundred and 



sixty acres of his present farm in Jackson 
township. To the further imprcivement and 
cultivation of this place he has since devoted 
his energies and has extended its boundaries 
until they now contain two hundred and 
seventy-four acres. His residence was pur- 
chased by him and removed to his farm. 
There is a good set of farm buildings upon 
the place, as well as two windpumps and a 
feed niil! : the land is di\ide(l into fields of 
convenient size by well-kept fences ; and 
everything about the farm testifies to the in- 
dustry and progressive spirit of the owner, 
who is accounted one of the most skillful, 
and thorough farmers of his community. 
He raises and fattens stock for market, ship- 
ping' annually about one carload of cattle. 
Unto I\Ir. and Mrs. Taylor were born 
two children: Bertha, the older daughter, 
is now the wife of Oscar Ripley, of Jackson 
township, and they ha\-e two children, El- 
bert and Lila. Prior tO' her marriage she 
successfully engaged in teaching school in 
this county for three or four years. Adella, 
the younger daughter, was educated at Lake 
City and Drake University. Des Moines, and 
has now taught school in Calhoun county 
for several years, having met with excellent 
success in that undertaking. Besides their 
own daughters, Mr. and Mrs. Taylor have 
reared two other ch'ildren as if they were 
their own. these Ijeing John \\'. and Mary L. 
Tavlor. who were his brother's children and 
were left or])hans when the former was 
only five _\'ears old and the latter an infant. 
Like his father Mr. Taylor was a stanch 
supporter of the Republican party, having 
aftiliated with it since casting his first presi- 
dential ballot for Rutherford B. Hayes in 
1876. He ser\ed one term as township 
trustee; has been a memljer of the school 
boarrl se\'en or eight years since coming to 



450 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



this county, and was school director in 
Montgomery county for a time. He takes 
a deep and commendable interest in public 
affairs, but has never cared for political pre- 
ferment. His success in life is due entirely 
to his own well-directed labors and good 
management, and he is now one of the well- 
to-do men of his community, as well as one 
of its honored and highly respected citizens. 



WASHINGTON LEWIS. 

For twenty-six years Washington Lewis 
was an honored resident of Calhoun county 
and one of its most representative business 
men. He came here in an early day and 
cast his lot with the pioneer settlers of the 
community. People of the present twen- 
tieth century period can scarcely realize the 
struggles and dangers which attended the 
early settlers, the heroism and self-sacrifice 
of lives passed upon the borders of civiliza- 
tion, the hardships endured, the difficulties 
overcome. These tales of the early days 
read almost like a romance to those who 
have known only the modern prosperity and 
conveniences. The pioneer of the early days 
■vvas far removed from the privileges and 
conveniences of city or town. ]\Ir. Lewis 
■was born August 3. 1841, in Steuben, 
Oneida county. New York. He early be- 
came familiar with all the duties and labors 
that fall to the lot of the agriculturist, and 
after oljtaining his preliminarA- education he 
was a student in W'hitestown Seminary in 
Utica. For twelve years he followed the 
profession of teaching and was a successful 
educator, imparting clearly and concisely to 
others the knowledge he had acquired. 

In the year 1869 Mr. Lewis was united 



in marriage to Miss Lois Meade of North 
Norwich, Chenango county. New York, a 
daughter of Morris and Charlotte (Cole) 
Meade, both of whom were natives of the 
Empire state and spent their lives in Che- 
nango county. In 1870 Mr. Lewis and his 
wife came to Iowa, locating in Tipton, where 
he was principal of the public schools for 
one year and where he engaged in merchan- 
dising for a year. In 1872 became with his 
family to Lake City, then the county seat of 
Calhoun county, v.here he remained in busi- 
ness for five years. When Rockwell City 
was made the countv seat he removed to this 
place, establishing a general store which he 
conducted alone for some time and then en- 
tered into partnership with J- H. Gregg and 
H. H. Hutchinson. On the ist of August, 

1884. he sold his interest to his partners and 
joined W. T. Smith and J. C. R. Layton ill 
the organization of the Farmers Bank. At 
the end of eleven months he purchased his 
partners' interests and on the ist of July, 

1885, became sole proprietor of the bank, 
which he conducted with marked ability and 
success until May i, 1899, when he sold to 
the First National Bank of Rockwell City, 
becoming a director of the latter institution, 
but taking no active part in its management. 
In 1897 his health began to fail and from 
that time his business afifairs were practically 
conducted by F. P. Huff, cashier of the 
bank. Previous to 1897 ^^^- Lewis confined 
himself very closely to business. His father's 
extensive real-estate investments in this 
county were under his inclusive care and the 
steady growth of the banking business laid 
upon him burdens of responsibility that 
would have ta.xed the endurance of any one 
who interested himself so closely in the de- 
tails of business as he did. His ability as a 
financier was marked and in the vears dur- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



451 



ing which this county was developing he ac- 
cumulated a large fortune and died one of 
the wealthiest men in the country. He at 
one time was the owner of thirty-six hun- 
dred acres of land. Of this he disposed of a 
part, but at the time of his death was still 
the owner of extensive realty holdings. He 
devoted his energies with untiring persist- 
ence to his business affairs and thus impaired 
his robust constitution. Although the best 
medical skill was summoned to his aid it was 
all of no avail and death came to him on the 
5th of June. 1900. 

Mr. Lewis exercised his right of fran- 
chise in support of the men and measures of 
the Republican party. .Although he never 
sought office for himself, he labored earnest- 
ly to secure the election of his friends and 
for the adoption of party principles. In an 
early day he was postmaster of Rockwell 
City and at different times was a member of 
the town council and the board of education. 
His tastes \\;ere strictly domestic and he con- 
sidered no personal sacrifice too great that 
would enhance the happiness or promote the 
welfare of his family. He was always 
thoughtful of his wife and children and re- 
joiced to see them happy and contented in 
their beautiful home. One son and five 
daughters came to grace the marriage of 
Mr. and Mrs. Lewis, but twO' of the number 
died in early childhood. Four daughters 
survi\e, namely : Janette ; Grace; Lois ; and 
Jennie. The two oldest are very successful 
school teachers and the family is one of the 
highest respectability, its mcmlicrs occupy- 
ing a leading position in social circles. Mr. 
Lewis was socially connected with the Ma- 
sonic fraternity. Perhaps no better sum- 
mary of his life and characteristics can be 
given than that which ajipeared in the Cal- 



houn County Advocate at the time of his 
death, which reads as follows : 

"Mr. Lewis was a man of strong indi- 
viduality, intense in his likes and dislikes 
and outspoken in his opinions. Occasion- 
ally he would become acquainted with a man 
with v,hom he could not affiliate in any way, 
but as a rule he took an active and friendly 
interest in every acquaintance. When he 
liked a man he C(nild never do too much for 
him, and few are tlie business men of Rock- 
well Cit\' who have not at some time or other 
been benefited by his friendly interest. 
Though a shrewd and careful man where 
business dealings were concerned, he did 
many quiet acts of kindness that were never 
known to the world at large. He was no 
boaster of his benevolences, hint it is tb-e 
unanimous testimony of those that knew him 
well, that few men ever li\-ed who' would do 
more for the sick and suffering or who 
would go farther to oblige and help a friend 
than Wash Lewis. Faults? Yes, who does 
not have them? And in the hardness and 
competition of business life he was some- 
times credited with faults he did not possess. 
But under the external demeanor of the suc- 
cessful man of business there beat the great, 
warm heart of a man who loved his neigh- 
bors and friends, his town, his family and 
home, his church and his God. The testi- 
mony.' of his confidential men of business is 
that in all the nuiltitudinous transactions of 
all these years of business he never desired 
to wrong any man of a penny. 

"He was especially desirous of the good 
of the community and every movement for 
the ad\ancement of the moral or material 
interests of the town had behind it the un- 
qualified support of W'ash Lewis. He was 
the first to welcome strangers to the town 



452 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and was especially friendly to young men 
starting out in life, often going out of his 
way to counsel and encourage them. Among 
those who have been cheered by his friendly 
words in time of discouragement the writer 
washes to pay a tribute to his memory to- 
day. It is no empty platitude to say that he 
willingly took upon himself the mental bur- 
dens of others, and by his hopeful wisdom 
pointed out the path to success. He did this 
because he wished to see others succeed. 
He had great faith in the people of Rockwell 
City. He lo\-ed to talk of the moral char- 
acter of our people and the hopeful future 
that awaited this community. Nothing 
pleased him better than the incoming of any 
one whom he thought would help to- keep up 
the moral standard of the town ; and no one 
regretted more than he any lack of success 
among our citizens." 



WENDEL BAKER. 



The name of W'endel Baker is closely 
ass(5ciated with agricultural interests in Cal- 
houn county, where until a very recent date 
he has owned and operated a hue farm. He 
is numbered among the native sons of the 
golden west, his birth having occurred in 
Keokuk county, this state, July 2, 1874. 
The family is of German lineage and Peter 
Baker, the father of our subject, was born 
in the German empire, October 7, 1839. 
There he spent the first fifteen years of his 
life and then emigrated to America, becom- 
ing a resident of Keokuk county, Iowa, 
where his identilication with agricultural in- 
terests made him a progressive farmer. He 
wedded Mary Peiffer. who was also born 
in the fatherland, her natal dav beinsf Octo- 



ber 24, 1840. She was only six years of 
age when brought by her parents to the new 
world, her people also settling in Keokuk,. 
Iowa, where she still resides. Her husband, 
however, has passed away, having beea 
called to his final rest on the ist of August, 
1897, when he was fifty-seven years of age» 
In their family were ten children, who ia 
order of birth are as follows : Lena, the 
wife of Antoine Eller, a resident of Wash- 
ington county, Iowa ; John, wlio is living ia 
Calhoun county ; Mary and Mike, both de- 
ceased; Joseph H., also living in Calhoun 
county; Elizabeth, the wife of Stephen 
Yeager, of this county; Wendel. of this re- 
view : Teressa, the wife of Charles Biewen,- 
of Calhoun county ; Emma, the wife of John. 
Olinger, of Keokuk ciiunty. 

Xo event of special importance occurred- 
to vary the routine of farm life for Wendel 
Baker in his youth. He pursued his educa- 
tion in the pul)lic schools near his home and 
during the summer months assisted in the- 
culti\"ation of the home farm, continuing to 
aid in the labors of the field there until the 
spring of 1896, when he came to Calhoun 
county, taking up his abode on section 20,. 
Butler township. Here he carried on agri- 
cultural pursuits with excellent success un- 
til 1901, when he sold his farm and returned 
to Keokuk county, where he purchased a 
good tract of land. He is, however, widely 
and favorably known in Calhoun county^ 
anil well deserves mention in its history. 

On the iith of February, 1896. in Keo- 
kuk county, Mr. Baker was united in mar- 
riage to Miss Mary Biewen, a daughter of 
Mathias and Lucy (Kleet) Biewen, the for- 
mer a native of Germany and the latter of 
Keokuk, Iowa. The home of our subject 
and his wife has lieen blessed with three 
children: Elsie, who was born March 28,. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



453. 



1897; Viola, who was born October 2, 1899, 
and died on tlie 23d of Xovenilier following ; 
and Sadie, born April 12, 1900. Mr. Baker 
and his family hold membership in St. 
]\Iary"s Catholic church of Pomeroy. He 
exercises his right of franchise in support 
of the men and measures of the Democratic 
party and keeps well informed on the issues 
of the day, but has never sought public of- 
fice, preferring to give his undivided atten- 
tion to his farming pursuits, in which he has 
met with good success. 



T. L. BROWN. 



While "the race is not always to the 
swift nor the battle to the strong," the in- 
variable law of destiny accords to tireless 
ener,g\', industry and ability, a successful 
career. The truth of this assertion is abund- 
antly veritied in the life of J. L. Brown, who, 
though he has met with many difficulties and 
obstacles, has overcome these by determined 
purpose and laudable endeavor, working his 
way steadily upward to success. He was 
born in Delaware county. New York. Janu- 
arv 7, 1828, and has therefore passed the 
psalmist span of three score years and ten. 
His is an honorable old age in which he is 
enjoying, not onlv the fruits of former toil, 
but also the respect and gocid will i)f liis fel- 
low men. His father, Stephen Brown, was 
a native of the Empire state, and there mar- 
ried Hannah Walker, who was also licirn in 
New York. Al)out 1829 they removed to 
Pennsylvania, and the mother died six 
months later in Nanticoke, Pennsylvania. 
Tlie father took a contract for construction 
work on the North Branch canal of the Sus- 
quehanna river and was for some time ac- 



tively associated with that work. After the 
death of his first wife, the father married 
Lydia Decker, a native of Pennsylvania, and 
removed to Wyoming county, that state, 
where he engaged in the lumber business 
ujitil his death, which occurred in 1857. By 
the first marriage there were two children, 
but the sister of our subject is now deceased. 
Ten children were l)orn of the second mar- 
riage. 

J. L. Brown, of this review, was only 
about a year old when his parents went to 
Pennsylvania and in a subscription school of 
Wilkesbarre he began his education. He 
also attended the district schools of Wyom- 
ing county and' later became a student in the 
Wyoming- Seminary, coiupleting his educa- 
tion when twenty-two- years of age. His 
more advanced course was secured entirely 
through his own efforts, for his labors en- 
abled him to \n\ his board, tuition and other 
expenses connected with seminary work. 
Entering upon his business career, he be- 
came connected with the ^ manufacture of 
lumber ;md follrwed that pursuit in Penn- 
sylvania for several years. After his mar- 
riage, which occurred at Windham, Penn- 
sylvania, August 2~, 1852, he continued in 
the lumber business until 1855, and in that 
year he soug'ht a home in the Mississippi 
vallev, settling in Cirand Detour, Ogle coun- 
ty, Illinois. There he established a lumber 
yard and in connection with the sale of 
building materials he also engaged in con- 
tracting, remaining in Ogle countv for ten 
years. In 1865 he arrived in Iowa, settling 
in Johnson township, Webster county, where 
he engaged in farming, securing a home- 
stead claim. I le also bought land, becoming 
the owner of a half section of raw prairie 
and marsh land. Digging ditches, he partly 
drained this, and with mule teams and oxen. 



454 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



broke the ground and planted his crops. He 
also erected a little frame house twelve b)' 
fourteen feet. During the second year he 
purchased a house and as the years passed 
be added one by one to his farm the improve- 
ments which enabled him to facilitate his 
work and secure therefrom a good income. 
When a decade had passed he came to^ JNIan- 
son in 1875, and, owing to ill health, retired 
from active business life. The needed rest 
and recreation, however, soon benefited him, 
and after about two years he began mer- 
chandising as a member of the firm of J. L. 
Brown & Son, a partnership which -was 
maintained until 1882, when our subject 
sold his interest and has since lived retired in 
the enjoyment of a well earned rest. 

On the 25th of August, 1852, Mr. Broiwn 
was united in marriage in Windom town- 
ship. Wyoming county, Pennsylvania, to 
Miss Jannett S. Stevens, who was born in 
Pennsylvania. July 25, 1828, and was a 
daughter of Stephen Stevens, a native of 
Glasgow, Scotland. On coming to this coun- 
try, her father married Ann Marie De La 
Plain, a nati\-e of Philadelphia, in which city 
the wedding was celebrated. The father 
was a wholesale merchant in Glasgow, but 
after coming to America engaged in the lum- 
ber trade. He erected a number of sawmills 
and near them he built houses for the men 
whom he employed. Fie also endeavored to 
make Bowman's creek navigable, and in that 
enterprise lost much of his money, for at one 
time he was quite wealthy. Subsequently 
he became pri)]:)rietor of a hotel in Tunklian- 
nock, PennsyK'ania, where he remained until 
his death. In his family were thirteen chil- 
dren. Mrs. Brown's death occurred June 8, 
1898. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Brown 
was blessed with five children : Orrin O. 
married Einilv Yates and was killed in a 



railroad accident at Waseca, Minnesota. His 
widow has since married George Ebersole 
and lives in Manson. By her first marriage 
she had four children, of whom two are yet 
living — Frank O., and Merrill J. George B. 
Brown, the second member of the family, 
married a Miss Messenger and after her 
death wedded Miss Lent. By both mar- 
riages he had two children. Orrin and Guy 
being of the first union, while Byron and 
Elsie are children bv his present wife. He 
is now engaged in the life insurance busi- 
ness in Rockwell City. Hannah M. is the 
wife of G. I. Long, one of the editors and 
proprietors of the Manson Journal. Ada 
died at the age of three years. \\'illiam S. 
married Viola Cheshire and after her death 
wedded Stella Fonts. Their home is in Alan- 
son and he is engaged in the coal business. 
By his first marriage he had twin daughters, 
Edna and Erma. 

Mr. Brown has a good modern residence 
in Manson and is a well known and hig-hly 
esteemed persan of the community. While 
residing in Webster county he was elected 
supervisor of Webster county, and held the 
office for three years. He also filled other 
township offices there and a number of town- 
ship positions in Lincoln township. Calhoun 
cmmty. Since coming to^ Manson he has 
served as a member of the city council and 
at all times he has given an unfaltering sup- 
port to the Republican party since casting 
his first presidential vote for John C. Fre- 
mont. Sociallv he is a member of Morning 
Light Lodge. .\. F. & A. M., and has been 
identified with the craft since 1839, having 
been initiated into the order in Ogle county, 
Illinois. In all his life he has been true to 
its principles of brotherly kindness and mu- 
tual helpfulness. His entire freedom from 
(i.>tentation or self-laudation, together with 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



455 



his honesty in all business atYairs, have made 
him one of the most ixjpular citizens of Man- 
son, with whose history he has now been 
"identified for many years. 



COMBS BROTHERS. 

Among the most progressive and suc- 
cessful agriculturists of Calhoun county are 
numbered the Combs brothers, who in part- 
nership carry on general farming and stock- 
raising m Twin Lakes township. They are 
sons of William and Sarah A. Combs, the 
former a native of West Virginia, the latter 
of Ohio. For several years they made their 
home in Champaign county, Illinois, where 
the father died at the age of forty-two years, 
but the mother is still living and now re- 
sides with her sons in this county. William 
Combs was a farmer by occupation, and was 
a hard-working man who ct)mmanded the 
respect and confidence of all with whom he 
was brought in contact. 

John Combs, the eldest brother, was born 
November i, i860, while Charles W., the 
younger, was born on the 7th of May, 1869, 
in Champaign county, Illinois. Prior to 
coming to Iowa they carried on general 
farming together in Illinois, and their busi- 
ness relations have been mutually profitable 
as well as pleasant. It was in 1899 that 
they removed to this state and u>ok up their 
residence in Twin Lakes townshii), Calluiun 
county, where they now own four hundred 
acres of rich and arable land under a high 
state of cultivation and supiilied with all the 
conveniences and accessories found upon a 
model farm of the present century. They 
lease land, which they operate in connection 
with their own farm, and raise annually 
about six thousand bushels of corn, besides 



three thousand bushels of small grain. They 
feed from one to two^ carloads of cattle per 
year and aljout one carload of hogs, usually 
keeping from twenty-five to thirty head of 
cattle upon their place, a good drove of hogs, 
and a flock of Shropshire sheep. They are 
now making somewhat of a specialt}- ofblack 
Angus cattle. They are among the most 
enterprising, energetic and reliable farmers 
of their locality and well deserve the suc- 
cess that has attended their efforts. Thir 
farm is one of the best improved and most 
desirable places of its size in the county, and 
its well tilled fields plainly indicate the care- 
ful supervision of the owners. In connec- 
tion with his farming operations the younger 
brother owns and runs a threshing machine. 
In 1886 John Combs was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Mary Wright, a native of 
Champaign county, Illinois, and to them 
have been born six children, but James died 
at the age of four years. Those living are 
Harry, Sadie, Maggie, Adda and John. 
Charles W. Combs was married March 12, 
1902, to ]\Iiss Gertrude Snow, a native of 
Illinois. The brothers are both stanch sup- 
porters of the Republican ])arty and its prin- 
ciples, and John is now filling the otfice erf 
road super\-isor in a luost satisfactory man- 
ner. They are widely known and highly 
respected, and have made a host of warm 
friends since locating here. 



JAMES H. PELL. 

Although comparatively a young man, 
Mr. Pell is one of the pioneers of Calhoun 
county, and has been actively identified with 

its development and ])rogress. His home is 
in Twin Lakes tow nship, w here he owns and 



456 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



•operates a good farm of one hundred and 
twenty acres. He was born on the 17th of 
July, 1859, in Clay county, Indiana, a son 
-of Washington C. and Mary (Stalcomp) 
Pell. The father was a native of Kentucky, 
as were also his parents, John and Eleanore 
(Smith) Pell. The Smith family were 
among the very earliest settlers of that state, 
and there Mrs. Pell was born May 24, 1798. 
Our subject's grandfather was a farmer and 
land speculator, and during his residence in 
Kentucky was also a slave holder. At an 
-early day he removed to Indiana and bought 
a large tract of land, for which he paid one 
dollar per acre, but afterward sold some of 
it as high as one hundred and seventy-five 
dollars per acre, it being valuable mineral 
and coal land. Pie continued to ifiake his 
home in the Hoosier state throughout the 
remainder of his life, and died there at the 
age of eighty-five years. His wife lived to 
the advanced age of ninety-four years. They 
were the parents of twehe children who 
reached years of maturity. 

Washington C. Pell, the father of our 
subject, accompanied his parents on their 
removal to Clay county, Indiana, and there 
spent the remainder of his life. He was a 
farmer and stock-raiser by occupation, and 
was highly respected and esteemed by all 
■who knew him. He died at the compara- 
tively early age of thirty-five years. His 
widow subsequently married a Mr. Gross, 
and they now reside in Jasper county, Iowa. 
She was born in Johnson county, Ohio, April 
14, 1830, and by her first marriage had four 
•children, Pleasant, Richard S., Robert W. 
and James H. There were also four chil- 
dren born of the second union, but Emma 
is now deceased. Those living are W' illiam, 
Frank and Thompson. 

The subject of this sketch spent the first 



twelve years of his life in Clay county, Indi- 
ana, and is indebted to its public schools for 
his early school privileges. He then re- 
moved with the family to Jasper county, 
Iowa, in 1871, and since then his life has 
been devoted to farming. The first land 
which he owned was in Butler county, Ne- 
braska, where he resided for two years, and 
on his return to Iowa located in Calhoun 
county, purchasing his present farm in Twin 
Lakes township in 1882. At that time it was 
wild and unimproved, and the country round 
alx>ut was still in its primitive condition, 
there being no roads and but few settle- 
ments. There was plenty of wild game, such 
as ducks, geese, prairie chickens, etc., and 
Mr. Pell made the trapping of muskrats his 
main source of income. There was no mar- 
ket for what little the early settlers could 
raise, but the skins of wild animals com- 
manded good cash prices. At first our sub- 
ject bought only eighty acres, to which he 
has since added, and now has a good farm 
of one hundred and twent\- acres, which he 
has placed under excellent cultivation. He 
has made all of the improvements upon the 
place, including a nice comfortable residence, 
good barns and outbuildings, and is to-day 
successfully engaged in general farming. 
In atldition to his own land he also operates 
another tract which he rents, and usually 
raises fifty acres of corn and forty acres of 
.small grain, while the remainder of his place 
is pasture and meadow land. He has from 
twenty-five to thirty head of Durham cattle, 
from fifty to seventy Shropshire sheep, and 
a number of horses and hogs, devoting con- 
siderable time to stock-raising. 

Mr. Pell was married, August 14, 1881, 
to Miss Hannah M. Rhodes, who was born 
in Marion county, biwa, April 14. i860, 
and is a daughter of Joseph anil Anna 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



457 



(Creshaw) Rhodes, both natives of Eng- 
land. Her father, who was a farmer and 
miner bv occupation, died at the age of fifty- 
six \ears, but her mother is stiH living, and 
now makes her liome with her children. Mr. 
and Mrs. Pell have three sons : H. Carson, 
born February i6, 1883; Ernest R., Sep- 
tember 27. 1886; and James H., Jr., August 
II, 1889. 

Mr. Pell attends the Methodist Episco- 
pal church and affiliates with the Rqjublican 
party. For about nine years he has held the 
office of school director, and has ever taken 
a commendable interest in all enterprises cal- 
culated to prove of public benefit. As a pio- 
neer of this region he endured many of the 
hardships and privations which fall to the 
lot of the frontiersman, and has materially 
aided in the development and u])building of 
this section of the state. 



JOHN A. LAND. 

John A. Land, a well-known grain and 
stock dealer of Rands, Iowa, is a man whose 
sound common sense and vigorous able man- 
agement have been important factors in his 
success, and with his undi)ubteil integrity of 
character have given him an honorable po- 
sition among his fellow men. A native of 
this state, he was born in Washington coun- 
ty, on the 22d of September, 1851, and is a 
son of Mathew and Tabitha (Leeper) Land, 
the former of whom was a nati\e of Jack- 
son county. Ohio, the latter of Pennsyl- 
A'ania. Mathew Land was left fatherless 
during infancy. In 1840 he came to Iowa 
and first settled in Henry county, but later 
made his home in Washington county. 
Throughout life he followed the occupation 



of farming. He died in 1885 at the age 
of fifty-six years, and his wife passed away 
shortl}- afterward. 

This worthy couple were the parents of 
nine children, of whom eight are still liv- 
ing, namely: John A., of this review; 
Sarah, wife of Oliver Hayes, of Rinehart, 
Missouri; Martha, wife of Solomon David- 
son, of Roseland, Nebraska; Caleb, a resi- 
dent of Bloomfield, Iowa ; George, of Okla- 
homa; Mary A., wife of William Reed, of 
Frontier county, Nebraska; Frank, of Okla- 
homa; and Amanda, wife of Allet Van Pelt, 
of Beatrice, Nebraska. 

Mr. Land, of this review, was reared 
and educated in Washington and Henry 
ccunties. Iowa, and commenced life for him- 
self as a farmer. In 1881 he removed to 
Flumljoldt county, this state, where he fol- 
lowed that occupation for twelve years, and 
on the expiration of that period came to 
Rands, Calhoun county, and embarked in 
general merchandising, the grain and stock 
business. He had the second store opened 
at that place, having purchased a stock of 
goods invoiced at one hundred and twenty- 
five dollars, tO' which he added until he had 
a large and complete assortment of every- 
thing found in a first-class establishment of 
the kind. On the ist of May, 1901, he 
sold his store, but is still engaged in the 
grain and stock business. On locating in 
Rands there was not an elevator in the place, 
but lie has been instrumental in securing 
for the town a large grain trade and for the 
past two years has had charge of the north 
elevator. He is a wide-awake, energetic 
and reliable business man, and the success 
that has come to him is certainly well de- 
served. From 1899 to 1901 Mr. Land 
served as postmaster, and as a public spir- 
ited and progressive citizen he has done 



458 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



mucli to achaiice tlie interests of his town 
and county. 

On the 8th of March, 1874. Air. Land 
was united in marriage with Miss Martha 
.AHce Sheppard, a daughter of W'ilHani 
and Sarah (Montgomery) Sheppard, of 
Washington county, Iowa, who are both 
now deceased. Of the four children born to 
them. Zettie, the second in order of birth, is 
now deceased. Those living are Clayton, 
who married Alinnie Criddle, of Center 
township, this county, and resides in Rands; 
Ralph, in school; and Ira B., at home. Be- 
sides their own children Mr. and Mrs. Rand 
are rearing a little girl named Edith. 



DAVID H. FRENCH. 

Da\'id H. French, the well known and 
popular station agent at Knierim, Iowa, and 
an honored veteran of the Civil war, was 
born on the 2d of August, 1841, in Andover, 
Windsor county, Vermont, his parents be- 
ing John and Matilda R. (Pearsall) French, 
the former of whom was also a native of the 
Green Mountain state, the latter of New 
York. The father was a brickmaker and fol- 
lowed that occupation for thirty-two years. 
In 1842 he removed to New York, where 
he made his home until 1849, ^"^ passed the 
following ten years in Jefferson, Wisconsin. 
He next resided with his daughter at Solon 
Mills, McHenry county, Illinois, but spent 
his last days with our subject in Hudson, 
Illinois, where he died in his seventy-third 
year. In politics he was a Republican. His 
wife liad passed away in 1863. They were 
married in Andover, Vermont, and became 
the parents of six children, of whom two 
died in infancy. The others were Mary A., 



now the wife of Peter Overson, of Antioch, 
Lake county, Illinois; David H., our sub- 
ject : Truman A., a very extensive contractor 
of Phcenix, Arizona; and Edward P., who 
was thrown from a horse and killed at Hud- 
son, Illinois, in September, 1874. 

Much of the boyhood of our subject was 
spent in Jefferson county, Wisconsin, and 
he attended a frontier school at Poynette, 
that state, for three years. Leaving home 
at the age of fifteen years, he began work- 
ing by the month on a farm, and was thus 
employed until the Civil war broke out. 
Hardly had the echoes of Fort Sumter's 
girns died away when he enlisted, April 15, 
1861, but the company was soon afterward 
disbanded. On the 14th of July, of the same 
year, he joined Company .\, Ele\'enth Illi- 
nois Volunteer Infantry, under Captain S. 
D. Atkins and Colonel W. H. Wallace, and 
was mustered into the United States service 
on the 30th of that month, at Birdpoint, Alis- 
souri, opposite Cairo, Illinois, where they re- 
mained some months as a rendezvous, pre- 
paring for the spring campaign. On leaving 
that place they proceeded to Fort Henry, 
February 3, in a cold rainstorm, and landed 
six miles below the fort, where they re- 
mained until the iith of that month, and 
then marched to Fort Donelson, Company A 
being detailed as one of the advance guard. 
They camped that night in range of the guns 
from the fort. \\'ith his company Mr. 
French did picket duty most of the day, and 
suffered many hardships, being under fire 
from both artillery and sharpshooters. Just 
before the battle of Pittsburg Landing he 
was taken ill and confined in the hospital at 
Savannah for two months. He was then dis- 
charged from the service May 17, 1862. but 
again enlisted for three months in Company 
A, Se\enty-first Illinois Volunteer Infantry, 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



461 



under Captain George Black and Colonel 
Bnrnside. with the express tmderstanding 
that the company was to go to Annapolis, 
Maryland, but instead it was sent into camp 
at Columbus, Kentucky, and was engaged in 
guartling bridges at Little Obion, that state. 
On the expiration of his term of enlistment 
Mr. French returned to Freeport, Illinois, 
and from there went to his old home in Jef- 
ferson county. Wisconsin, where he was ill 
all winter. 

On the 14th of October, 1863, he was 
united in marriage with Miss Kezia A. 
Roach, of Freeport, Illinois, who was born 
in Shefford, Canada, June i, 1844, and is a 
daughter of James and ]\Iary C. (Savage) 
Roach, also natives of Canada. Leaving his 
young bride, Mr. French re-entered the 
army, enlisting January 28, 1864, in Com- 
]}any A, Forty-sixth Illinois Volunteer In- 
fantry, under Captain Joseph Clingman and 
Colonel B. F. Dornblazer. His command 
first went to Black River Station, ]\Iissis- 
sippi, and from there to Vicksburg, where 
thev did garrison duty. They took part in 
several e.xpeditions while stationed there, the 
most important of which was to Benton. 
Mississippi, in June, 1864, at which time 
they made a forced march of thirty miles in 
one day. They returned to Vicksburg in the 
latter part of the month, and on the 1st of 
July started for Jackson, ^lississippi. On 
the /th of July ]\Ir. Frencli was wounded at 
what was known as the second battle of 
Jackson, in which engagement his company 
lost heavily, one being killed and forty-one 
wounded. On their return to \"icksburg the 
regiment was ordered to Morganza Bend, 
and took part in 'some heavy skirmishing. 
In October they went to White river and 
from there to Du\alls Bluff, and on to Mem- 
phis, Tennes.see, where they remained until 

26 



December 24, 1864, and then proceeded to 
]\Ioscow, Tennessee. They intercepted the 
retreat of General Hood during the battles 
of Franklin and Nashville, after w'hich they 
returned to Memphis. On the ist of Jan- 
uary, 1865, they were ordered to Kenner- 
ville, Louisiana, where they remained about 
a month and while there was paid off. They 
were next ordered to Dauphine island, where 
the following' month was passed in reor- 
ganizing for further campaigns. They 
crossed JNIobile bay, Alarch 17, to Spanish 
Fort, and were about a week investigating 
the fortifications there. They next pro- 
ceeded to Fort Blakely, and were constantly 
engaged in battle for about ten days. They 
charged on the works April 9, at five o'clock 
in the afternoon, whicli was probably, the 
last charge of the war. Later they were 
sent to Natchitoches, Louisiana, and went 
into camp on the old camp grounds of Gen- 
eral Jackson at Salubertz Springs, where 
r\Ir. French was detailed as an agent of the 
freedman's bureau, in which capacity he 
served through the summer. Going to 
Baton Rouge he was mustered out of service 
January 20, 1866, and returned north, reach- 
ing home on the 22d of February. 

On the 1st of April, 1866, Mr. French 
began working for the Illinois Central Rail- 
road as a section hand, and the following 
year was given a position as ticket agent and 
telegraph operator. He was placed in charge 
of the station at Hudson, Illinois, June i, 
1869, and was later transferred to Bailey- 
\ ille, that state, ami from there to Cherokee, 
biwa. He then worked as e.xtra for the 
comi)an\- until his present position was ready 
and on the ist of Novanber, 1899, came to 
Knierim, Calhoun county, as agent and op- 
erator, in which capacity he is still serving 
the comjjany, but lacks only a few- months 



462 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of the time when he will loe able to retire 
on a pension from the railroad. He is one 
of the most trusted and faithful employes of 
the company, and was presented with a 
souvenir medal for his thirty-two years' 
service with the Illinois Central Railroad, 
and also holds a certificate from the general 
superintendent for good conduct and sat- 
isfactory service from 1868 tO' 1899. 

Mv. French assisted in organizing the 
town of Knierim, and has taken an active 
part in its improvement and development. 
He owns Hotel Leota, which he conducted 
from April 9, 1900, to Jnly. 1901, but is 
now making his home with his son-in-law. 
On the 5th of January, 1900, he was ap- 
pointed postmaster and has since acceptably 
filled that office. 

Mr. and Mrs. French have become the 
parents of ten children, namely: Albert A., 
born July 23. 1864, is now with the Colum- 
l:)us, Ohio, Traction Company; Nellie M.. 
born November 6, 1866, is the wife of Lewis 
Shellard, of Knierim. Iowa: Truman H.. 
jjorn June 21, 1871, is in the employ of the 
Illinois Central Railroad Company: Gertie 
E., born December 8. 1873, is the wife of 
J. W. Kamper, of Knierim: Charles R.. born 
December 6, 1876, is also' a railroad man ; 
John J., born July 4, 1879, is assistant post- 
master at Knierim: Alida L., born Jnly 
31, 1881, Levi C, born July 26, 1883, Mary 
A., born April 25, 1885. and Myron L., born 
March 29, 1890, are all at home. Ths fam- 
ily now attend the Methodist Episcopal 
church, although yir. French is a Baptist in 
religious belief. Politically he is a stanch 
Republican, and socially is an honored mem- 
ber of the Masonic fraternity and the Grand 
Army of the Republic, in which urclers he 
has held office. Among his most cherished 
possessions is a violin, now one hundred and 



eighty years old. Mr. French is one of the 
representative and prominent men of his 
community, and where\er known he is held 



in high regard. 



GEORGE W. DELLINGER. 

Among the pleasant rural homes of Cal- 
houn county, Iowa, is that of George W. 
Dellinger, a resident of Garfield township. 
He is a veteran of the Civil war and bears 
an honorable record for brave service in the 
cause of freedom and union, and in the paths 
of peace he has also won an envial)le reputa- 
tion through the sterling qualities that go to 
the making of a good citizen. 

Mr. Dellinger was born in Adams coun- 
ty, Ohio, April 10, 1840, a son of Jonathan 
and Margaret (Campbell) Dellinger, the 
former also a native of the Buckeye state, 
and the latter of Scotland. The father spent 
his life in Adams county as an industrious 
and energetic farmer, and his c(.iurse in lite 
was ever such as to gain for him the confi- 
dence and high regard of all with whom he 
came in contact. He died there at the ripe 
old age of eighty-four years, having hmg 
survived the mother of our subject, who was 
only twenty-eight years old at the time of 
her death. They had two children whci 
reached years of maturity- : Mrs. Elizabeth 
Hamilton, a resident of Carroll count}'. 
Iowa: and George \\'., of this review. The 
Dellinger familv came originally from I'enn- 
sylvania, and was of German lineage. They 
were among the early settlers of Adams 
county, Ohio. 

Georg"e W. Dellinger was reared and 
educated in his native county and spent his 
early life upon a farm, aiding his father in 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



463 



its operation when not in sciiool. W hen the 
Civil war broke out, lie jninetl the boys in 
blue, enlisting- on the iStli of October, 1861, 
in Company A, Se\-entieth Ohio Volunteer 
Infantry, under Captain W. B. Brown. He 
was wounded in the liattle of Shiloh, and 
was honorably discharged August 22, 1862, 
but again enlisted in 1864 in the one hun- 
dred day service, this time becoming a mem- 
ber of Company K, One Hundred and Sixty- 
second Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He re- 
mained at the front until the close of the 
war, taking part in a number of important 
engagements. 

On leaving the service Mr. Bellinger re- 
turned home, and later spent six years in La 
Salle county, Illinois, where he was engaged 
in farming on rented land. He also made 
his home in Grundy county, Iowa, for the 
same length of time, his time being similarly 
employed, and from there came to Calhoun 
county in 1882. His first purchase of land 
consisted of eighty acres which he still owns. 
In his farming operations he has steadily 
prospered during his residence here, and is 
to-day the owner of four hundred and twen- 
ty-six acres of valuable land in Elm Grove. 
Garfield and Twin Lakes townships. He 
farms all of this with exception of a quarter 
section, and raises from eighty to ninety 
acres of corn and the same amount of small 
grain, leaving the remainder for hay and 
pasture. He keeps considerable stuck, in- 
cluding alxnit fifty head of cattle, mostly of 
the Hereford breed. His home farm is a 
well improved i)lace in Garfield tnwnsbip, 
and its neat and thrifty api)earance plainly 
indicates the super\ision of a careful and 
painstaking owner. 

Mr. Bellinger was married on the Tith of 
February, 1S78, to Miss Ruth .\nna Grif- 
fith, who was born in Wiscnnsin, l"cbruar\- 



6, 1861, a daughter of James and Antoinette 
Griffith, now residents of Iowa. The father, 
who is a fanner by occupation, was born in 
England, in 1836, and the mother's birth 
occurred in New York in 1839. Their fam- 
ily consists of seven children, five daughters 
and two sons, namely : Ruth A., Archie, 
Lydia, James, Tressie, Lena and Jennie. 
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bellinger have been born 
six children, as follows: Luci.nda, Jona- 
than, George W'., Gladys, Tressie and 
.\rthur. 

Politicallv Mr. Bellinger is an ardent 
Republican, but has never befn an aspirant 
for office. He is what the world terms a 
self-made man, his success in life being due 
entirelv to his own industr_\-, perseverance 
and good management, and he well deserves 
the prosperity that has come to him. He is 
a man of good business and executive ability, 
is upright and honorable in all his dealings, 
and is widely and favorably known through- 
out this section of the state. 



CHARLES J. COLE. 

The history of Charles J. Cole forms a 
connecting link between the pioneer past 
and the progressive present in Calhoun 
countv. He came to this state at an early 
period in the development of this region and 
has witnessed almost its entire transforma- 
tion from a wild and unsettled district to its 
present condition when line farms surround 
enterprising towns, in which are thriving in- 
dustries while all the conveniences and ac- 
cessories of the older east are also here en- 
joyed. Mr. Cole has borne his part in the 
work of development and as one if the lion- 
(■rcd piiineer settlers he well descrxes rej)- 
rcscntatiim in this \-(ihinic. 



464 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Mr. Cole was born in Cass county. Mich- 
igan, February 15. 1843. ^ son -of John P. 
and Sophia (Bates) Cole, who were natives 
of Vermont, in which state they were reared 
and married. Subsequently they left Xew 
England, taking up their residence in Buf- 
falo, Xew York, and later they continued 
their westward journey to Michigan, where 
the father secured a tract of land and en- 
gaged in farming. In their family were 
three chiklren, two daughters and a son : 
Marietta J-. now deceased; Sarah L., the 
wife of Moses L. Sherman, of Lake City. 
Iowa: and Charles J. The father died in 
^Michigan in 1854 and the mother afterward 
became the wife of Charles Amy, who was 
a native of Ohio. He had been very liber- 
ally educated and was a graduate of three 
colleges. He successfully engaged in teach- 
ing and for a number of years he also fol- 
lowed farming in Cass county. Michigan. 
In the spring of 1856 he came to Calhoun 
county. Iowa, and in Septemljer of that year 
he was joined by his wife and her children, 
the family becoming identified with pioneer 
life in this section of the state. They located 
on the site of Lake City and Mr. Amy erec- 
ted the second building here — the court- 
house, while his own residence was the third 
structure in the town. It was built of na- 
tive luml>er and continued the home of the 
family for a number of years. Mr. Amy 
became a leader in public affairs and was 
called upon to fill many offices. In the year 
1857 he was elected county treasurer and 
filled that position continuously for thirteen 
years — a most capable and faithful officer. 
In 1858 he was elected county surveyor and 
served for six years, while from 1858 until 
1863 he was county superintendent of 
schools. In 1837 he was appointed post- 
master if Lake Citv and continued the cus- 



todian of the mails until 1872, retiring from 
office as he had entered it with the confidence 
and good will of all c(jncerned. In that year 
he removed to his farm, where he spent his 
remaining days. He aided in laying broad 
and deep the foundation for the present pros- 
peritv and progress of the county, his labors 
being of great value in the early development 
of this portion of the state. In the winter of 
1856 David Reed taught the first school in 
this county, but the following summer Sa- 
rah L. Sherman, a sister of our subject, be- 
came the school teacher. 

Charles J. Cole, whose name introduces 
this record, obtained his early education in 
the country schools of Cass county. ]SIich- 
igan. and in the years 1853 and 1854 was a 
student in the Northern Indiana Normal 
School at Val])araiso, Indiana. He lived 
with his mother and stepfather until they 
removed to Iowa. The journey was made 
Ijy rail to Iowa City and overland two hun- 
dred miles to Calhoun county. The winter 
of 1856 was the hardest ever experienced in 
the history of the state. Mr. Cole from prac- 
tical knowledge knows of the hardships and 
trials incident to pioneer life as well as of 
its pleasures and opportunities. During the 
winter of 1856 five elks were captured, two 
of which are still living in Bonina Park, 
[Michigan. Mr. Cole has hunted and trapped 
in the early days of Iowa's development and 
has killed many elks, deer and also two buf- 
faloes, together with smaller animals, includ- 
ing wolves, wild cats and lynx. Many In- 
dians were still in this portion of the state, 
but they occasioned the settlers no trouble. 
Mr. Cnle made a lousiness of trapping until 
1870, when the approaching civilization ren- 
dered that occu])ation unremunerative. 

.\t the time of the Ci\il war he enlisted 
as a member of the Second Iowa Cavalrw 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



465 



Tliis was in direct opposition to the wislies 
of his motiier for lie was tlien bnt a boy. 
However, lie went to Camp Burnside, Des 
Moines, where he was drilled for four 
months and was transferred to the Thirty- 
ninth Iowa infantry, but his father antl 
mother forbade his enlistment in the regular 
army, for he was a minor, and in conse- 
quence he did not get to go south. In 1858 
he was one of a party to start for Spirit 
lake to help put down the Indian outbreak 
which resulted in the Spirit lake massacre 
and thus made one of the dark pages of 
Iowa's pioneer history. In 1870 Mr. Cole 
went onto a farm where he remained for 
about fourteen years and in 1884 he again 
took up his abode in Lake City, where he 
now resides. Between 1887 and 1896 he 
conducted an elevator for J. \V. Wilson and 
since that time he represents nursery com- 
panies and also superintends the working of 
men engaged in house moving. He has also 
practiced law for several years. 

Mr. Cole was united in marriage to ]\Iiss 
Rebecca J. Parker, a daughter of David 
Parker, of Cass county, ^Michigan, but her 
parents were natives of Ohio. L'nto j\lr. 
and Mrs. Cole have been born eleven chil- 
dren, as follows : James L., a conductor on 
the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad ; Em- 
ory D., of Lake City: Carrie, the wife of 
John Higgins, city engineer in Ida Grove; 
Lulu, deceased; Margaret J., the wife of 
Charles Owen, a railroad conductor on the 
Chicago & Northwestern line, living- at Car- 
roll, Iowa; Otis H., of Ida Grove, Iowa; 
George B., a brakeman on the Chicago & 
Northwestern road living at Onawa, Iowa; 
John P., Mary C, and Frank S., all of Lake 
City; and Hazel S., who has passed away. 
The family is well known in the countv and 
their friends are manv. Mr. Cole has taken 



quite an active part in political attairs, served 
as constable for about thirteen years and has 
been a delegate to many conventions of the 
party. The greater part of his life has been 
passed in this locality and his fiiends know 
him as a man of sterling worth. 



E. B. SHERMAN. 



As a representative of the class of sub- 
stantial luiilders of a great commonwealth 
who served faithfully and long in the en- 
terprising west, we present the subject of 
this sketch, -who was a pioneer of the Prairie 
state and nobly did his dutv in estaljlishing 
and maintaining the material interests, legal 
status and moral welfare of his community, 
and e.xerted a great influence throughout 
his adopted state. He was born in W'ill- 
iamstown, Massachusetts, February 5, 1837, 
his parents being Eber and Abbie (Hall) 
Sherman, the former a native of Williams- 
town, and the latter of Vermont. The an- 
cestry of the Sherman family can be traced 
back to England, whence representati\-es of 
the name emigrated to the new world, set- 
tling in Rhode Island. The paternal grand- 
father of our subject removed from Rhode 
Island to Williamstown, Massachusetts, 
when he was seventeen years of age. He 
witnessed with interest the e\-ents which led 
to the inauguration of the Revolutionary 
war, and resolved that if a bli^w was struck 
for liberty he would aid in winning the free- 
dom of the colonists. Accordingh- he en- 
listed and for seven years he serveil under 
General Washington. He was with the di- 
vision of the army which spent tlie memor- 
able winter at Valley Forge, and with nthers 
marched through the cold, tlie snow and 



466 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



sleet with his feet tied in rags. Xo greater 
hardships have ever been borne Idv soldiers 
in defense cf country and principle than 
were there endured by the patriots who 
fought for American liberty. In the Civil 
war the Sherman family was also repre- 
sented, and cur subject likewise had rela- 
tives in the Spanish-American war. while 
his cousin, Thomas H. Hall, ser\-ed with 
distinction in the Mexican war. Thus the 
family history is noted for the patriotism 
and valor of its representatives. 

The parents of our subject were mar- 
ried in W'illiamstown, ^Massachusetts, and 
the father became a very extensi\-e realty 
liolder, his landed possessions returning to 
him a splendid income, which enabled him 
to live a retired life save for the supervision 
which he gave to his investments. In his 
political views he was a stanch Republican, 
and socially he was identified with the Ma- 
sonic fraternity. His religious faith was 
that of the Methodist Episcopal church, and 
liis life was in consistent harmony with its 
jwinciples. He died in October, 1881, at 
the age of seventy-eight years, and the 
mother of our subject passed away in Jan- 
uary, 1852. After the death of his first 
wife the father was again married, in 1854, 
his second union being with Angeline 
( Brimer ) Whipple. E. B. Sherman, of this 
review, is the eldest of six children. The 
others are: Samuel J., who died when nine 
years of age; Jennie, the wife of Franklin 
Mather, a resident of Albany. New York; 
Mary, deceased, who married Henry Bur- 
bank, a resident of Philadelphia, Pennsvl- 
vania, who. upon her death, eight years 
after, married her sister Sarah; Sarah, now 
Mrs. Burbank; and B. H., who first mar- 
ried ]\Iaggie ^^'alrath, whose death occurred 



in August, 1893, and eight years later he 
married Airs. Minnie Bailey, and resides 
in \\'illiamst(jwn, ^Massachusetts, where he 
is engaged in the hardware and house fur- 
nishings goods business. 

At the usual age E. B. Sherman en- 
tered the public schools of W'illiamstown. 
Massachusetts, where he continued his 
studies until ten years of age, after whicli 
he was a student in several boarding 
schools. In Pownal. Vermont, he was for 
one year a student in a school conducted by 
Chester A. Arthur, afterward president of 
the United States, under whom he studied 
Greek, Latin and English. He now has a 
number of books which formerly belonged 
to President Arthur. At a later date Mr. 
Sherman went to Port Chester, New York, 
and spent two years in Thompson Semi- 
narv. While in Vermont he was a class- 
mate of Judge IMeachum, of the Green. 
Mountain state, of Brigadier General Eld- 
ridge, of Chicago, of Rev. Harry Hopkins, 
of Kansas City, and a son of Presidein 
Hopkins, now president of Williams Col- 
lege, of W'illiamstown, Massachusetts, to- 
gether with a niunber of xery prominent 
business men of Chicago. After -com- 
pleting his education Mr. Sherman worked 
with his father for a year and then em- 
barked in business on his own account as 
a dealer in general merchandise in Will- 
iamstown, Massachusetts, where he success- 
fully conducted his store for twentv vears. 

While residing in that place Mr. Sher- 
man was married to Miss Sarah Brown, 
who was bom in Rowe, Massachusetts, Au- 
gust 18, 1839. Her father, Joseph Brown, 
was also a native of Rowe, and his father 
was a mountaineer. Joseph Brown devoted 
his attention to farming, following that pur- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



467 



suit tliroughout his entire Ijusiness life. He 
wedded Sarah ]\IcClcud, wlio died wlien 
her daughter, Mrs. Sherman, was only ten 
days old, after which yir. Brown was again 
married. His death occurred in 1866. By 
the first marriage there were five children. 
Delia became the wife of Lorenzo Stock- 
well and they resided in Rowe, Massachu- 
setts, but both are now deceased, Mrs. 
Stockwell passing away in 1S63. They left 
one child, Elwin, but he, too, has passed 
away. Franklin Josqih, the second of the 
family, married Alary Stockwell and* is a 
farmer residing in Rowe, ]\Iassachusetts. 
They have six children, Frank, Emery, 
Newton, Herbert, Gertrude and Elwin. 
Maria, the third of the family, became the 
wife oi Jonathan Higgins, who' died in 
Rowe, Miassachusetts. They had four chil- 
dren : Clarence, deceased ; Clifford, noiw a 
doctor ; Walter and Earnest. Newton, the 
next member of the Brown family, married 
Sarali Stockwell, and after her death he 
wedded Rose King, who has also passed 
away. By the first union there were three 
children, of whom two are living — Mrs. 
Stella BrO'wn and Lottie. By his second 
marriage he has one daughter, Maude, who 
now resides in Greenfield, JNIassachusetts. 
The other niember of Josq_>h BroAvn's first 
marriage was Sarah, the liunnred wife of 
our subject. By his second marriag'e her 
father had two children, the elder being- 
Ester B.. who became the wife nf Anasa 
White, and after his death married Chester 
Fairbanks, who died in 1898. The widow 
now resides in Charlamount, Massachu- 
setts. By her first marriage she had two 
children. Her brothen', Lewis Bnjwn, is 
married and has five children and makes his 
home in Deerfield, Massachusetts. 

At the death Oif 'Mrs. Sherman's mother 



she went tO' live with her adopted parents, 
Mr. and Mrs. Ruben Flood, the former a 
native' of Rhode Island antl the latter of 
King, New Hampshire. Mr. Flood was of 
Irish lineage, his father havmg come from 
Ireland after the insurrection in that coun- 
try, in which he had taken part. He made 
his way' to the new world as a stowaw-ay. 
He had taken an active part in poJitical 
affairs in his native land and had attained 
tO' a position of prominence. Ruben Flood 
was the oldest of a family of nine children, 
the others being: Mary Ann, who became 
the wife of A. Atwood ; Michael, a merchant 
of North Adams, Massachusetts; Rodger A., 
who resides in Troy, New York; Betseyj 
G., who died at the ag-e of forty-four years ; 
Fanny, who is the widoAV of Samuel Ami- 
don and resides in Troy, New York, with 
her daughter at the age of seventy-nine 
years; and three who died in childhood. 
Mr. Flood, the foster father of Mrs. Sher- 
man, was a mechanic, being identified with 
a cotton factory in North Adams, Massa- 
chusetts. He afterward removed to \\'ill- 
iamstown, Berskshire county, Massachu- 
setts, where Mrs. Sherman received her ed- 
ucational advantages in the public schools 
and in the Ladies' Seminary. It was in the 
year 1876 that Mr. Flood came to Illinois, 
settling in Ruck Island. He died in March, 
1891, at the age of eighty years and was 
laid to rest in the cemetery in Aurora, Illi- 
nois. His wife died in December, 1873, 
at the age of fifty-eight years, and was 
buried at North Adams, Massachusetts. 
Both were ^Methodists in religious faith and 
took more than ordinary interest in the 
work and ui)I)uilding of the church. In their 
familv were three children, one of whom 
died in infancy, while Airs. T. M'. Kane, 
the eldest, resides in Aurora, which is also 



458 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



the place of residence of Ivlaria ^I. 
Flood. 

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Sherman 
has been blessed with five children. Emma 
D., born Januan- i8, 1858, is the wife of 
E. S. Thayer, proprietor of the Long Hotel, 
which he lias condncted for eleven years. 
He has also been extensively engaged in 
buying and shipping fine horses. His wife 
was a successful teacher prior to her mar- 
riage, following that profession in the 
schools of Vermont and also in this county. 
Abbe)^ Hall, born February 19, 1864. en- 
gaged in teaching for a number O'f years in 
Massachusetts and in Calhoun county. 
lo-wa, and died on the 5th of January, 1891. 
Aletha D.. born June 15, 1868. became the 
wife of Lisle B. Cleaver, and died at their 
home in Reinbeck. Iowa, June 12, 1898. 
Eber F., born February 20, 1877, married 
Aliss Florence Warren, by whom he has 
two children, ^^'illie IMarion and Marie. 
The home of this family is on a farm in 
Lincoln township. George M., Iwrn Au- 
gust 29. 1881. is a graduate of the high 
school of Manson. also attended Highland 
Park College, of Des IMoines, and is now 
employed in the office of the Democrat. 

After his marriage Mr. Sherman re- 
sided for eighteen years in A\'iIIiamstown 
and continued a representative of its mer- 
cantile interests. In 1875 he came to Cal- 
houn county. Iowa, arriving in Center 
township. His father had about three thou- 
sand acres of lajid here, of which fifteen 
hundred acres have now been sold, but Mr. 
Sherman, of this review, is agent for the 
remaining fifteen hundred acres. Pur- 
chasing four hundred and eighty acres, he 
began farming. His land was a tract of 
wild prairie, on wliich not a furrow had 



been turned or an improvement made, and 
the unsettled condition of the country maj^ 
be imagined from the fact that his nearest 
neig"hbor was ten miles away. He fenced 
his farm and broke his land with oxen and 
horse teams. He also set out an extensive 
groxe and Iniilt what was for many years 
the largest residence in Calhoun comity. 
They also possessed the only piano in the 
county for many years. His labors were 
devoted untiringly to the development and 
improvement of his land and the manage- 
ment of his father's real estate interests, 
and as the years passed his financial re- 
sources continually increased until he had 
gained a place among the wealthy residents 
of the county. In February, 1894, he put 
aside agricultural pursuits and located in 
Manson in order to enjoy the fruits of his 
former toil. Here he purchased some land, 
erected an attractive modern residence and 
is now enjoying all the comforts and con- 
veniences of life. He has been ver}- success- 
ful and he still has the management of the 
Eber Shemian estate, comprising about 
fourteen hundred and twenty acres. This 
land was purchased direct from the govern- 
ment, and as it was secured on soldier's war- 
rants from tlie war of 1812, it was bought 
for sixtv-five cents per acre. Aside from 
the real estate interests of which he has 
charge, he also has extensive land holdings 
of his own. and his property is the vis- 
ible evidence of his life of industry. 

In his political views Mr. Sherman is 
independent, but has been honcxed with 
•many of the township offices. His wife Ije- 
longs to- the Congregational church, and al- 
though he iloes not have membership rela- 
tions with any denomination he attends 
church services twice each Sundav. His 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.- 



469 



pleasant, genial manner has made him popu- 
lar in social circles, and his sterling worth 
commends him to the confidence and good 
will (.if all with whom he has been brought 
in contact. 



G. E. LESTER. 



One of the most progressive and enter- 
prising" young Inisiness men of Knierim is 
the gentleman whose name introduces this 
sketch — the junior member of the firm of 
W'elden & Lester, well known general mer- 
chants of that place. He was born in Huron 
county, Ohio, Septanber 23, 1872, and is a 
son of Gurdon P. Lester, who was born in 
New York state, April 27, 1837, and was 
the third in order of birth in a family of four 
children, all now deceased. At the age of 
eleven years the father removed from New 
York to Ohio and settled in Huron county. 
In 1855 he came to Iowa, and after spending 
five years in Clayton county crossed the 
plains to the gold fields of California, being 
one of a large company. The journey was 
made with oxen and pro\'ed a very interest- 
ing one to Mr. Lester. There was a preach- 
er in the company who held services every 
Sunday during the six months it required 
to make the trip. Mr. Lester Idcated at what 
what known as Gold Run, Placer county, 
California, wh.ere die remained until 1866, 
and then returned home liy way of the 
Isthmus of Panama. After spsnding a short 
time in New York he made a trip to Mon- 
tana, where he spent alxiut a year, and then 
traveled extensively over the west for some 
time. 

In Huron county, Ohio, Mr. Lester was 
married, January 12. 1869, to Miss ^[incrva 



F. Foote, who was there born, January 27, 
1845. Her parents, Henry J. and Maria 
(\\'ilkinson) Foote, were natives of Massa- 
chusetts and New York, respectively. In 
th.eir family were seven children. Unto Mr. 
and Mrs. Lester were born two children, of 
whom our subject is the younger. His sis-. 
ter, Edna I., is an accomplishetl musician 
and a vocalist of marked ability, having 
studied under such eminent professors as 
Senor Car]}i while in Chicago, and under 
the great composer Niedlinger of New York. 
Coming west in 1869 the family first located 
near Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where they spent 
about a year, and then removed to Cherokee 
county. There the father bought a tract of 
wild, unbroken land, which he at once com- 
menced to improve and cultivate, and to the 
operation of that farm he continued to de- 
vote his time and attention until 1879. when 
he moved to Cherokee, the county seat, re- 
siding there until called to his final rest Oc- 
tober 22, 1898, leaving a widow and two 
children to mourn his loss. His life was 
exemplary in all respects, and he was a lov- 
ing husband and father, entirely devoted to 
his family. He was well informed on gen- 
eral topics, and being very progressive and 
enterprising always kept abreast with the 
times. 

G. E. Lester received his early educa- 
tion in the public schools of Cherokee. Iowa, 
which he attended until thirteen years of 
age, and then commenced clerking in a mer- 
cantile establishment of that place. In the 
spring of 1892 he went to Chicago and en- 
tered the employ of Marshall Field & Com- 
pany, with whom he remained five years. 
At the end of that time he returned to Iowa, 
and took charge of a dry goods store at 
Humboldt, with which he was connected 



470 



' THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



during the years 1896 and 1897. He tlien 
went to Iowa Falls witli William Welden, 
remaining until iNIarch, 1S98, and from 
March, 1898, until 1899 was in the employ 
of L. O. Bliss of that place. The follow- 
ing year was spent at Fort Dodge with the 
Larson Dr}- Goods Company, and in June, 
1900, he remuxed to Knierim, where he 
opened a general store under the firm name 
of Welden & Lester. He now has a well 
established trade, and is regarded as one of 
the most progressive as welU as one of 
the most reliable business men of the place. 
His political support is given the Republican 
party and its principles. He served as a 
member of the city council in a most credit- 
able and acceptable manner, and was elected, 
April 10, 1902, to the office of city clerk. 

He is a member of the Elks Lodge, at 
Fort Dodge; Masonic order, of Manson, 
Iowa; the Independent Order of Odd Fel- 
lows, and the Yeomen, of Knierim, Iowa. 



J. B. WARTCHOW. 

J. B. \\'artchow is a leading representa- 
tive of the business interests of Knierim, 
having built up a good trade as a dealer in 
hardware and agricultural implements. Of 
e.xcellent business ability and broad re- 
sources, he has attained a prominent place 
among the substantial citizens of his part 
of the cixuity, and is a recognized leader in 
public affairs. He has won success by his 
well directed, energetic efforts, and the pros- 
perity that has come to him is certainly well 
deserved. 

]\Ir. \\'artchow was born on the 15th of 
January, 1857. in Prussia, Germany, of 
which country his parents, Charles and Mary 



I'Fohmann) W'artchow, were also natives. 
In early life the father followed the brick- 
maker's trade and also engaged in farming 
in his native land. In 1862 he emigrated to 
America in company with his wife and three 
children, and settled in Jefferson county. 
\\'isconsin. where he was. in the employ of 
(ithers for abnut two years. He then pur- 
chased a tract of land in that county, which 
he successfully operated until 1876, and next 
came to Iowa. After making his home in 
Lake City, Calhoun county, for one year, 
he purchased a farm near Fort Dodge, Webs- 
ter county, and devoted his energies to its 
cultivation and improvement until 1899, 
since wliich time he has lived a retired life 
in the city of Fort Dodge. He is a stanch 
supporter of the Republican party, and buth 
he anil his wife are members of the German 
Lutheran church. 

In the family of this worthy couple are 
twelve children, of whom our subject is the 
eldest, the others being as follows: Minnie, 
wife of Paul Miller, of Delville Lake, Wis- 
consin ; Augusta, wife of Henry Reinhart, 
a car decorator in the employ of the North- 
ern Pacific Railroad at St. Paul, Minnesota; 
William, who is interested in gold mining 
in Washington Republic Reservation ; 
Emma, wife of Chris Horn, of Fort Dodge; 
Tillie, wife of George Stroueble, who is en- 
gaged in the harness business in Fort Dodge; 
Mary, wife of Herman Miller, a tailor of 
Mingo. Illinois; Clara, who lives with her 
parents in Fort Dodge; Anna, wife of Fred 
Creiitner, a fanuer of Lincoln county, Min- 
nesota; and Charlie, George and Frank, all 
farmers of Webster county, Iowa. 

The subject of this sketch was only five 
years old at the time of the emigration of 
the family to the new world, and his early 
education was acquired in the district schools 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



473 



of Jefferson county, Wisconsin. During the 
winter of 1870-71 he also attended a graded 
school at Mihon Junction, Rock county, tliat 
state. During his youth he \vorl<ed by the 
month as a farm hand in Jefferson county 
until sixteen years of age, when he entered 
the service of the Chicago & Northwestern 
Railway Company and was in their employ 
three years. At the end of that time he 
commenced learning the blacksmith's trade, 
at which he worked about eight months, but 
as it did not agree with his health he re- 
turned to farming for a year. ]\Ir. Wart- 
chow was next employed in an implement 
store at Milton Junction, Wisconsin, for a 
year, and then resumed farming, at whicii 
he worked both in Wisconsin and Min- 
nesota. 

In 1879 he came to Iowa and for a num- 
ber of years was identified with the dairy 
business at Fort Dodge. In the meantime 
he was married, June 21, 1882, to Miss Anna 
Habenicht, who was born December 6, 1858, 
and is one of a family of nine children, her 
parents being August and Lena (Kizer) 
Habenicht. Seven children bless this union, 
whose names and dates of birth are as fol- 
lows : Albert, August 25, 1884; Lena, Oc- 
tober 5, iScS5; Lulu. December 3, 1887; 
Robert, June 9, 1890; Anna, February 16, 
1892; Babta, October 10, 1894; and John, 
August 20, 1900. The oldest son is now at- 
tending Tobin College, Fort Dodge. 

During his residence in Fort Dodge Mr. 
Wartchow was engaged in quarrying for a 
time, and while thus employed fell a distance 
of forty-five feet, striking on solid rock and 
breaking both arms and fracturing three ribs 
and his hip, liesides receiving a scalp wound. 
This accident occurred on the 17th of De- 
cember, 1 88 1, and he was unable to do any 
work until the fnllowing A])ril, when he 



was given the position of weigh boss, which 
he filled for about a year. • 

On leaving Fort Dodge ^Ir. \\'artchow 
came to Calhoun county and bi]Ught a farm 
of one hundred and si.xty acres 6n section 
12, Lincoln township, which he placed under 
a high state of cultivation, and which he 
still owns. He operated that farm until 
1899, when he removed to what is now 
known as Knierim and opened the second 
store in the place, putting in a stock of hard- 
ware and agricultural implements. He is 
now doing a good business along that line 
and is also interested in real estate. A pub- 
lic-spirited and progressive citizen, he has 
done much toward the upbuilding and 
growth of the town, and is now efficiently 
serving as mayor, to which responsible po- 
sition he was elected in June, 1901. His po- 
litical support is always given the men and 
measures of the Republican party, and he 
has become an important factor in public 
affairs. While in the employ of the Chicago 
& Northwestern Railway Mr. W'artchow 
was the means of saving a train from being 
wrecked, and in recognition of this valuable 
service the company presented him with a 
life pass and a silver lantern. The con- 
ductor was intoxicated at the time, and by 
presence of mind our subject, who was then 
acting as brakeman, prevented what might 
have been a terrible wreck, thus saving the 
company thousands of dollars. 



CHARLES C. CARMICHAEL. 

Charles C. Carmichael is one of the 
most progressive business men of the thriv- 
ing little city of Lohrville, and his ability, 
enterprise and upright methods have estal>- 



474 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



lished for him an enviable reputation. Al- 
though he is still a young man comparative- 
ly, his popularity is established on a firm 
basis — that of his own well tested merit. 

A native of Iowa, Mr. Caraiichael was 
born in Poweshiek county, June i, 1870, his 
parents being William and Mary M. (Zig- 
ler) Carmichael. His father, who was a 
carpenter by trade, was born in Baltimore, 
Maryland, and remained a resident of that 
citv until his removal to Poweshiek county, 
Iowa, in 1861. There he followed farming 
in connection with carpentering until 1876, 
when he came to Calhoun county and pur- 
chased land in Logan township, where he 
resided until his death June 28, 1892. He 
was a most exeinplarj' man, and was highly 
respected and esteemed by all who knew 
him. His widow now makes her home in 
Ashton, Iowa. Unto them were born e\ey- 
en children, ten of whom are still living, and 
of the.se our subject is next to the youngest. 
Mr. Carmichael was a mere boy when 
he accompanied his parents on their remov- 
al to Calhoun county, and his education was 
acquired in the public schools of Rockwell 
Citv. He was reared to agricultural pur- 
suits upon the home farm, but on reaching 
manhood chose a mercantile career. He 
was first employed as clerk in his brother's 
store at Ashton for two years, and then 
went to Everly, Iowa, where in partnership 
with his brother, J. H. Carmichael, he em- 
barked in business on his own account. 
This connection lasted about three years, at 
the end of which time our subject purchased 
his brother's interest and was alone in busi- 
ness until coming to Lohrville in February. 
1899. Here he carries a complete line of 
drugs and also handles school books. He 
has a well regulated store and enjoys an 



excellent trade, which is constantly increas- 
ing. 

In 1894 ]\Ir. Carmichael married Miss 
Lizzie Roberts, a native of Dallas Center, 
Iowa, and to them has-been born one son, 
Paul Elmer. Religiously he is a member of 
the Catholic church, and politically he is 
identified with the Democratic party. Dur- 
ing his residence in Lohrville he has made 
many warm friends, and is held in high re- 
gard by all who know him. 



CHARLES W. TITUS. 

One of the most practical and enterpris- 
ing farmers of Garfield township is Charles 
^^'. Titus, who has long been actively iden- 
tified witli the agricultural interests of this 
county. He is a native of the Prairie state, 
his birth ha\-ing occurred in Adams county, 
Illinois, on the 2d of September, 1845. -^^ 
an early day his father, Malichia \\'. Titus, 
born April 15. 1819, had removed from 
^,ew Ycik to Illinois, and i.i Adams county 
took up a tract of wild land, which he broke 
with oxen and later converted it into a good 
farm. He was subsequently a resident of 
Henderson county, Illinois, for a time, and 
spent his last years in Wisconsin, where he 
died on August 18, 1866. He was a soldier 
of the Civil war and a farmer by occupa- 
tion. He was twice married, the mother 
of our subject being in her maidenhood Miss 
Sarah Utter, born April 22, 1823, and died 
on the 1 2th of October, 1854. By that 
union there were four children: Charles 
W., of this review: and David, who is now 
living in Colorado : also Levonia and 
Luke K. 



1 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



475 * 



Our subject grew to manhood in Illinois, 
his early life being mainly passed in Hender- 
son county. He received a good district 
school education, and early accjuired an ex- 
cellent knowledge of every department of 
farm work. At the age of eighteen years 
he started out in life for himself by working 
as a farm hand at fourteen dollars per 
month, an was thus employed for about 
three years. In 1868 he came to Iowa and 
for three years operated rented land in Polk 
county. 

As a companion and helpmeet on life's 
journey Mr. Titus chose Miss Alice Payne, 
and they were united in marriage in 1871. 
She was born in Polk county, Iowa, July i, 
1854, a daughter of Jesse and Clarky 
(Crunii) Payne, both of whom w'ere natives 
■of Indiana. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Titus the 
following children were born : ( i ) Francis 
M., born November 14, 1872, married Inez 
Garten, and they have two children, Bessie 
and Howard. (2) Samuel T., born Decem- 
ber 28, 1874, married Edith Garten. (3) 
Ernest A., born February 28, 1876, is still 
at home. (4) Irene E., born October 21, 
1878. is now the wife of Clifford Garten, 
and they have one daughter, Alice, and an 
infant son. (5) Robert J., born March 10, 
1880, is at home. (6) Isaac D., born June 
10, 1884, died November 27, 1901. (7) 
Jnhn \\'., b(irn Julv 10, 1890, (8) Charles 
C, 1)1 irn M^.y 22. 1893, and (9) Eva Z., 
born January 9, 1896, are all at home. 

The first land which Mr. Titus owned 
was a tract in Nebraska, which he disposed 
of after it had been in his possession for a 
shiTt time. Coming to Calhoun county, 
li wa. he purchased his present farm in Gar- 
field township about 18S4, it consisting at 
that time of two hundred and fortv acres, to 



which he has since added until he now has 
a valuable tract of land of three hundred 
and sixty acres. At one time he also owned 
one hiflidred and si.xty acres of land in Elm 
Grove township, but has since sold that, and 
now has three hundred and twenty acres 
in South Dakota besides his property in this 
state. He has made all of the improvements 
upon his home farm, including the erection 
of a nice residence, and he and his sons are 
successfully engaged in the operation of all 
his land in Garfield township. Energetic, 
enterprising and industrious he has met with 
marked success in his undertakings. His 
possessions have been accjuired through his 
own unaided efforts, and as the result of his 
consecutive endeavor he has won a place 
among the substantial citizens of his com- 
munity. Mr. Titus attends the Methodist 
Episcopal church and affiliates with the Re- 
publican party, and he has most efficiently 
served as school director and trustee. 



CHRIS HOCHSCHWENDER. 

This well known resident of Williams 
township is one of the leading German-born 
citizens of Calhoun county, and in his suc- 
cessful luisiness career he has shown the 
characteristic thrift and enterprise of his 
race. Beginning with no capital sa\-e that 
acquired by his own industry, he has become 
one of the well-to-do and prosperous farm- 
ers of his community. 

Mr. Hochschwender was born in Ger- 
many on the 15th of October, 1840, and 
was reared and educated in his nati\-e land. 
There his parents spent their entire lives. At 
the age of twentv-six vears he resol\-ed to 



476 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



try his furtune in America, where he be- 
lieved better opportunities were afforded 
ambitious and industrious young men than 
in the older countries of the east, and ac- 
cordingly he crossed the broad Atlantic. He 
first located in Sac county, Iowa, where he 
worked on a farm one year, and then went 
to Des Moines, Iowa, where he engaged in 
railroad word for a time. He was also em- 
ployed in a brickyard and followed \-arious 
occupations during his three years sojourn 
at that place. He next went to Sheboygan, 
Wisconsin, but after spending two months 
in that city, proceeded to the copper mines 
in the Lake Superior region, where he work- 
ed one summer, and then returned to She- 
boygan. The following spring he went to 
Duluth, JMinnesota, where he worked on 
public and government w'orks until fall, 
when he went back to Wisconsin. In the 
spring of 1S72 we again find him in Sac 
county, Iowa, where he worked on the first 
court house and at farming upon rented land 
for about twelve years. In 1882 he pur- 
chased one hundred and sixty acres of land 
near Sac City, to which he afterward added 
a tract of fifty-six acres, and which he im- 
proved by the erection of good buildings. 
Selling his property there in the summer of 
1888, he nioved to Calhoun county the fol- 
lowing spring, and bought three hundred 
and twenty acres of land in Williams town- 
ship, W'here he now resides. He built a 
good modern dwelling upon the place, sub- 
stantial barns and outbuildings, and now has 
a well improved and valuable farm, to the 
cultivation and development of which he de- 
votes his entire time and attention. 

On the 24th of January, 1870, Mr. 
Hochschwender was united in marriage 
witli Miss Mary Rommalfeuger, who wa.s 



also born in Germany, ^lay 24, 1844, and 
came to the United States when ten years 
of age with her mother, her father having 
died in his native land. The mother first 
made her home with a son who came to 
America at the same time, but was living 
with our subject in Sac county, Iowa, at the 
time of her death. Of the eight children 
born to Mr. and Mrs. Hochschwender one 
died in infancy, and Lawrence died at the 
age of thirteen years and three months from 
the effects of a kick of a horse. Those liv- 
ing are as follows : Rose, born Sqjtember 
7, 1871, is now the wife of Frank \'ancleve, 
of Buena Vista county, Iowa ; Anna, born 
October 5, 1872, is the wife of Merton 
Campbell of Sac county, Iowa ; Mary, born 
November 8, 1874, is the wife of James 
Lewin, who lives near Newell, Iowa; 
George, born March 21, 1877, married 
Nancy Riley and resides in Fonda. Iowa ; 
Frederick, born August 21, 1878, and Ef- 
fie, born March 29, 1887, are both at home. 
The parents hold membership in St. Mary's 
Roman Catholic church of Fonda, and are 
highly respected and esteemed by all who 
know them. 



M. M. SMITH. 



In the front ranks of the columns that 
have advanced the civilization of Iowa ]Mr. 
Smitli stands, being numbered among those 
who have led the way to the substantial de- 
velopment, progress and upbuilding of west- 
ern Iowa, being particularly active in the 
growth of Calhuun county, where he still 
makes his home. He is numbered among the 
pioneers here, his memory going back to the 
time when this entire region was but sparse- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



477 



ly settled, when the Indians were still seen in 
the locality and the land had not been re- 
claimed for the uses of the white man, but 
remained in the primitive condition in which 
it came from the hand of nature. Because 
he is an honored pioneer and because he has 
labored so indefatigably for the substantial 
development of the county, Mr. Smith well 
deserx'es mention in its history. 

A native of Lamoille county. Vermont, 
he was born August 23. 1823, a son of Al- 
fred and Sarah (Hatch) Smith, the former 
a native of Connecticut and the latter of the 
Green Mountain state, where their marriage 
occurred. j\Ir. Smith engaged in farming, 
but died when our subject was only five 
years of age. He was a \\'hig in his po- 
litical affiliations and was a L'niversalist in 
his religious faith. His widow became the 
wife of Edward B. Walsh, a native of 
^^"aIes, who was also a farmer by occupa- 
tion and followed that pursuit in \'ermont. 
By her first marriage the mother of our sub- 
ject had five children, while seven were born 
of the second marriage, three of the num- 
ber still living. 

In the district schools of Williamstown, 
\'ermont, M. M. Smith acquired his educa- 
tiiin, putting aside his text books at the age 
of twenty, in order to become an active fac- 
tor in business life. He first engaged in 
farming, and in ]\Iarch, 1852, started for 
California, attracted Iw the discovery of gold 
in that state. There be engaged in mining, 
enduring all the hardships incident to that 
period when so many men flocked to the Pa- 
cific C('ast. which was almost entirely desti- 
tute of the comforts of the east. In his 
work there, however. ^Ir. Smith was quite 
successful, and in March, 1855, he returned 
to \'ermont. 



On the 6th of December, of the same 
year, at Wolcott, Vermont, Mr. Smith was 
united in marriage to Miss Martha J. Bliss, 
a native of Fairly, Vermont. They began 
their domestic life upon a farm in the Green 
Mountain state, but eventually Mr. Smith 
sold his farm there, and in the spring of 
1864 made his way westward to Wisconsin, 
settling in Rock county, where he rented a 
farm and remained for six years. In 1870 
he brought his family to Calhoun county, 
and purchased one hundred and sixty acres 
of wild prairie land in Center township. He 
immediately fenced it, broke a part of it 
with ox teams and built a frame house, six- 
teen by twenty feet, which is still standing 
on the old farm. Alanson at that time con- 
tained two stores, which were then con- 
ducted by James Glover and B. F. Freeburg. 
Fort Dodge was the market where I\Ir. 
Smith purchased his supplies, which was 
distant from his home about twenty miles 
by wagon road, while Lake City, then the 
county seat, was twenty-four miles away. 
There was not a single settlement between 
his home and Lake City, which then con- 
tained three business houses. Wolves were 
frequently seen and ofttimes made depreda- 
tions upon the farm yards. Deer were so 
numerous that venison was by no means an 
uncommon dish upon the pioneer's table and 
all kinds of wild fowls were to be had in 
abundance. The greatest danger came from 
the prairie fires, which were a menace to 
civilization. When a fire started it was al- 
most impossible to sto]) it and the flames 
would often leap fifty feet high. In early 
morning Mr. Smith wouhl take his place in 
the field and until nightfall would continue 
the task of impro\-ing his land. Tlu"ough 
frugality, industry and diligence he added 



478 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



to his property until he now owns three hun- 
dred acres, constituting one of tlie finest 
farms in tlie county. It is splendily equipped 
with an exceUent set of buildings, including 
a comfortable residence, large barns and 
cattle sheds. His residence is located on 
section i, Calhoun township. Unto Mr. 
and Mrs. Smith was born but one child, 
George C, who married Lorana Churchill, 
by whom he has a son, Roy. He is now 
engaged in the creamery business in Somers. 
In -his political belief J^Ir. ■ Smith is a 
Republican and has held all the township of- 
fices. For twenty-four years he was school 
treasurer — a fact which indicates that he 
was most faithful to his duty. He belongs 
to both the Masonic and Odd Fellows fra- 
ternities, and attends the Congregational 
church. He is thoroughly familiar with 
pioneer history and with the beginning of 
many things which have contributed to the 
upbuilding of the county. Center township 
was a part of Lincoln township when he 
first located within its borders. He organ- 
ized a committee that petitioned to have the 
township set ofif, which wvas done, and he 
was one of the committee that located the 
county seat. He circulated the petition for 
the removal of the county seat from Lake 
City to Rockwell City, working hard and 
spending much time in the accomplishment 
of that work. He was also instrumental in 
organizing school districts and having 
schcolhouses built, and has been an active 
factor in pri;mcting educational interests. 
He also labored to secure good roads, in 
fact there is no movement of importance 
to the county of a public nature which he 
has not endorsed and to many has given his 
active aid and influence. His life has there- 
fore been of benefit to the communitv and 



when the full history of Calhoun county is 
written, his name will figure conspicuously 
on many of its pages. 



GEORGE C. WRIGHT. 

George C. Wright, of Knierim, Iowa, is 
now doing a good business as a dealer in 
real estate, and is also successfully managing 
the lumber business of F. R. Anderson & 
Company. A young man of superior execu- 
tive ability and sound judgment, he already 
occupies a good position in the commercial 
world and has attained a fair degree of 
prosperity. 

A native of Illinois, yh. Wright was 
born in Shabbona, Dekalb county. May 14, 
1869, and is a representative of an old and 
honored family of that county. In the tan 
of 185 1 his grandfather, Thomas Wright, 
in company with S. Story, William Cutts 
and Joseph Billam, emigrated from Eng- 
land to this country and founded what be- 
came known as the English settlement in the 
western part of Shabbona township, Dekalb 
county. Illinois. He was born in Woodhull, 
Yorkshire, England, December .21, 1802, 
a son of William and Fannie Wright, and 
on reaching manhood was married in his na- 
tive parish, April 3, 1831, to ]\Iiss Mary 
Mullins, who was born in the same county. 
February 6. 1809, her parents being George 
and Julianna Mullins. By this union were 
born five children, nf wlmm George Wright, 
our subject's father, was the eldest. Ann, 
born July 13. 1835, is now the wife of Will- 
iam Cutts. of Lee county, Illinois : William, 
born Mav 9, 1840. entered the Union army 
during the Ci\'il war as a member of Com- 
panv E, One Hundred and Fifth Infantry, 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



481 



and being wounded in tlie battle uf Resaca, 
ilay 15, 1864, died in a liospital on the 25th 
of the same month ; Robert M., born No- 
vember I, 1844, is now an attorney of Fort 
Dodge, Iowa, and was unce the owner of 
what is now the town site of Knierim, hav- 
ing sold to Wihiam Knierim, Sr., eighty 
acres of land for four hundred and eighty 
dollars: Julianna, born January 31, 1847, 
is the wife of James Spaulding, of Palo 
Alto county, Iowa. The father of these 
children continued to engage in farming in 
Dekalb county, Illinois, until about eight 
years prior to his death, when he removed 
to Lee county, that state, where he passed 
away September 7, 1SS2. He was a Repub- 
lican in politics and an earnest member of 
the Methodist Episcopal church. 

George Wright, the father of our sub- 
ject, was born near Sheffield, England, Oc- 
tober 10, 1832, and was reared in Darnell, 
three miles from that .city. He came to this 
country with his parents at the age of eight- 
een years, and in November, 183 1, became a 
resident of Shabbona, Dekalb county, Illi- 
nois. There he was married. February 26, 
1857, to Miss Elizabeth Scott, who was born 
in Brooklyn, New York, September 3, 1835, 
a daughter of William and Jane Scott, who 
were of English descent. Seven children 
blessed this union : Thomas W., born De- 
cember 29, 1857, married Jane Parris, and 
is now engaged in farming south of Knie- 
rim, Iowa; Mary J., born December 11, 
1859, is the wife of Clark Richardson, a 
coal dealer of Knierim ; John E., born March 
2^. 1 86 1, married Sadie Willrett and lives 
in Dekalb county, Illinois: Cora E., born 
December 4, 1862, is the wife of William 
W. Hallett, principal of the schools of Ro- 
sclle, Illinois: Stephen A., born December 
8, 1865, is a real estate dealer of Pawpaw, 

27 



Illinois; George C, our subject, is the next 
in order of birth; Robert S., born February 
8, 1877, died of scarlet fever May 8, i88i. 
The hiother of these children died in Illi- 
nois March 11, 1877, and on the 25th of 
February, 1879, the father was again mar- 
ried, his second union being with Miss Emily 
Johnson, who was born in Sweden, Novem- 
ber 1, 1840, a daughter of John and Chris- 
tina E. Johnson, also natives of that coun- 
try. The father of our subject also died 
in the Prairie state, December 12, 1889. 
Both parents were faithful and consisteni 
members of the Methodist Episcopal church, 
and the father was a Republican in politics, 
always supporting that party from the time 
he cast his first presidential vote for John 
C. Fremont. 

Mr. Wright, of this review, was educated 
in the public schools of Lee. Illinois, and on 
starting out in life for himself worked on a 
farm in his native count)- for about two 
years. He then came to Calhoun count\', 
Iowa, Feliruary 8, 1S89, and here he was 
similarly employed one year. In the fall of 
1889 he purchased a quarter-section of land 
on section 8, Greenfield township, which he 
greatly improved, building a house in the 
fall of the second year. Prior to his mar- 
riage he made his home with his brother 
while operating his land. 

On the i6th of September, 1891, Mr. 
Wright was united in marriage with IMiss 
Julia R. Mace, of Malta, Illinois, who is the 
second in order of birth and only daughter 
in a family of five children. Her parents, 
Henry and Mary (Werden) ]\Iace, were na- 
tives of England and Michigan, respective- 
1_V. Mr. and ^Irs. Wright ha\'e three chil- 
dren : Rol>ert H., born February 17, 1893; 
Merle E., July 21, 1899; and Stephen E.. 
Deceml>er 23, 1901. 



48- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



After his marriage Mr. Wright contin- 
ued to reside upon his farm until Alarch. 
1901, when he removed to Knierim, where 
he owns a comfortable modern residence in 
the west part of the town. He has since en- 
gaged in the real estate business at this place, 
and on the ist of November , 1901. took 
charge of the lumber yard of F. R. Ander- 
son & Company, carrying it on quite success- 
fully ever since. Mr. Wright takes quite an 
active and influential part in local politics, 
and is now creditably serving as a member 
of the town council. He filled the office of 
assessor of Greenfield township for four 
years, and in January. 1900, was elected jus- 
tice of the peace, being the present incum- 
bent in that office. Fraternally he is a mem- 
ber of the Brotherhood of American Yeo- 
man and the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows ; and politically is identified with the 
Republican party. He is one of the leading 
and popular citizens of Knierim, and is 
highly respected by all who know him. 



FRAXKLIX B. SP.UVX. 

Not only has Iowa become known as 
a grain growing state but its shipments of 
fruit have become so extensive that its repu- 
tation in this direction has placed it among 
the leading fruit raising states of the Union. 
The leading representative of this industrv- 
in Calhoun county is Franklin B. Spawn, 
a .well known. horticulturist, whose success- 
ful efforts have made his opinion an author- 
ity in connection with everything in his 
line, especially in the production of apples. 
He is an enterprising, energetic man, and 
his labors have brought to liim well de- 
served prosperity. 



Mr. Spawn was Ijorn in Albanv countv, 
X'ew York, }vlarch 28, 1852. His father, 
William Spawn, was born in Greene coun- 
ty, that state, on the ist of May. 1814, and 
was descended from German lineage. Re- 
moving to the west in 1865, he died in 
Pomeroy, Iowa, February 26, 1888. His 
v.ife, who' bore the maiden name of Tem- 
perance Benjamin, was born in Greene 
county, Xew York, March 28, 1814, and 
represents an old English family that was 
early established in Connecticut. Her death 
occurred at Brant Lake. South Dakota. May 
15, 1894, and she was laid to rest in the 
Pomeroy cemetery, Calhoun county. The 
parents of our subject were married in 1832, 
and unto them were born eight children : 
Henrv, a resident of Dell Rapids, South Da- 
kota ; Isaac, whose home is in Roscoe, Illi- 
nois ; Zina. who died in Schoharie county, 
Xew York; Lewis and William J., who are 
residents of Brant Lake, South Dakota : 
Marv, who died in infancy; Franklin B. ; and 
Elida. who dietl in Pomeroy. Henry, Lewis 
and William J. were all soldiers of the Civil 
war. Lewis l>eing the first man to enlist in 
Schoharie county. Xew York, becoming a 
member of the Eighteenth Xew York In- 
fantrv. Henry was quartermaster sergeant 
in the Twelfth Illinois Cavalry and William 
T. was a member of the One Hundred and 
Thirtv-fourth Xew York Infantry. Lewis 
Spawn had one son. Lute, who served his 
country in the Spanish-.Vmerican war. and 
another brother of our subject, Zina Spawn, 
also had a son. who went forward to pro- 
tect American rights in the latest military 
struggle in which our countr\- has been en- 
e-aeed. Henrv had two sons in said war, 
one of wliom spent one year in Manila. 
Philippine Islands. In the year 1865 the 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



483 



family removed to Winnebago county, Illi- 
nois, locating upon a farm, which was their 
liDme until 1870. wlien they took u]) their 
abode in Calhoun county. 

Franklin B. Spawn, whose name intro- 
duces this review, remained with his father 
upon the home farm until 1873, after which 
he was employed as a farm hand for two 
)Tars in Calhoun and Grundy counties, 
Iowa. In 1875 li^ purchased the farm upon 
wliich he now li\'es, and his father removed 
to Pomeroy at that time. For twenty-nine 
years ^Ir. Spawn has resided upon the farm 
which is now his home, and while his life 
has been marked by no exciting events, it 
has been characterized by the faithful per- 
formance of duty and fidelity to every ob- 
ligation. ' He owns sixty-five acres on the 
northeast quarter of the southeast c|uarter 
of section thirty-two on the shore of Twin 
Lakes, and in connection with general farm- 
ing he raises some stock, but is perhaps best 
known as a representati\-e of the horticul- 
tural interests of the county. He is ex- 
tensively engaged in raising apples, and the 
shipments from his farm find a ready sale 
upon the market owing to their large size 
and e.xcellent quality. 

On the J4th of December, 1879, ^1''- 
Spawn was united in marriage to Miss 
Louisa Marple, the daughter of Ehvood and 
Amy Marijle. The father was born in 
Pennsylvania, March 27, 1820. and cu the 
24th of \o\'ember, 1841. the jiarents (A our 
subject were married. The lady was born 
October 31, 1817, and this worthy couple 
became the parents of eight children : Anna 
E., who was born December 5, 1842, and 
died M'arch 12, 1900; Harriett, who was 
born ^larch 22, 1844, and is the widow of 
John Jones, of Newton, Iowa ; Adelaid, 



who was born December 29, 1845, s"*^' '^^i'-'U 
on the 1st of March, 1898; Abram, who was 
Ixirn July 2^, 1847, ^^^^^ '^ living in Pome- 
roy: Louisa, who was born May 25, 1850, 
and is the honored wife of Mr. Spawn; 
Amy A., w ho was born June 5, 1853, and is 
the wicldw of Xewton Scott, of MaratlKjn ; 
I<"rank, who was born May 11, 1856, 
and died in 1880; and Clara E., who was 
born December 2^. 1857, and is the wife of 
Henry Wheeler, of Colorado. The father 
of this family departed this life on the 25th 
of Xovember, 1889, and his wife passed 
away on the 26th of May, 1880. 

The hi:)me of Franklin B. and Louisa 
Spawn has l^en blessed with six children : 
Harry L.. who was born May 22. 1881 : 
Ernest, who was torn May 30. 1882, and 
died on the 15th of September of that _\ear; 
Hazel J., who was born November 30. 1S84, 
and died August 13, 1890; Fannie May, 
who was born February 4, 1888; Nellie 
M., who was born April 17, 1891, and died 
on the 17th of September following: and 
Amy M., whose birth occurred October 24. 
1892. Mr. Spawn and his family hold mem- 
bership in the Methodist church in Pome- 
roy. He gives his political support to the 
Republican party, and his fellow townsmen, 
recognizing his worth and ability, ha\e fre- 
quently called him to ofiice. He has served 
as road supervisor, con.stable, justice of th( 
peace and township trustee, and in all of 
these positions has discharged his duties 
with signal fidelity and promptness. Mr. 
SiKiv.n is wdiat the world calls a self-made 
man, owing his prosperity entirely to his 
enterprising efforts. The first land which 
he ever owned was purchased with the pro) 
ceeds of the sale of muskrat hides, having 
trapped these little animals in order to sell 



484 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



their fur. Always his incUistr\- and energy 
have been salient characteristics in his 
career and have enabled him to overcome 
many difficulties and obstacles in his path. 
He lived in the coimty when deer were fre- 
quently seen, when wolves made the night 
hideous with their howling and when many 
kinds of wild fowl were found upon the lake. 
He has endured all the hardships and pri- 
vations of pioneer life, but with resolute 
purpose he has met such diiiftculties and to- 
day is enjoying all the comforts of an ad- 
vanced civilization. 



CHARLES W. ALEXANDER. 

If those who claim that fortune has fa- 
vored certain individuals above others will 
but investigate the cause of success and fail- 
ure, it will be found that the former is large- 
ly due to the improvement of opportunity, 
the latter to the neglect of it. Fortunate en- 
\-ironments encompass nearly every man at 
some stage in his career, but the strong man 
and the successful man is he who realizes 
the proper moment has come, that the pres- 
ent and not the future holds his opportunity. 
The man who makes use of the Xow and 
not the To Be is the one who passes on the 
highway of life others who started out ahead 
<if him, and reaches the goal of prosperity 
far in advance of them. It is this quality 
in Charles W. Alexander that has made him 
a leader in the business world and won him 
an enviable name in connection with Cal- 
lii jun county that is widely known. He was 
l)orn in W'atertown. Wisconsin. August i6. 
1 86 1, his parents being Arthur and Sarah 
Ann (Havhurst) Alexander, both of whom 



were natives of England. On crossing the 
Atlantic to the new world, the father took 
up his abode in Wisconsin and was married 
in that state. He is a mechanic and fol- 
lowed that line of business at a time when 
most work was done by hand and not by 
machinery. In the year 1865 he removed 
to ]vIaquoketa, Iowa, and took charge of the 
barrel factory at that place, continuing there 
for two years. On the expiration of that 
period he removed to Portland, Wisconsin, 
where he established a wagon shop and car- 
riage factory, conducting the same success- 
fully until the winter of 1869-70. In the 
fall of 1869 he drove to Sac county, Iowa, 
and in the spring of 1870 he took up a home- 
stead claim four miles northeast of Xewell. 
in Buena Vista county, Iowa. The family 
remained upon this farm until 1876, and 
in the meantime he had perfected his title. 
The father, however, did not devote his en- 
tire attention to agricultural pursuits, being 
associated with George Emory in a contract- 
ing business in Sac City. In the winter of 
1876-77 he returned to Wisconsin and en- 
tered the employ of the Chicago, Milwaukee 
& St. Paul Railroad Company in its car 
shops at Watertown, serving in that capacity 
until the fall of 1879, when he became a resi- 
dent of Mason City, Iowa. There he be- 
came a representative of the ^lilwaukee car 
shops and also did a contracting business, 
making his home in Mason City until his 
death, which occurred in July, 1886. His 
widow still survives him and is now li\-ing 
in Dakota. In their family were eight chil- 
dren, of whom our subject is the eldest, the 
others being: T. A., an attorney of Jack- 
son, Minnesota; Annie Ruth, the wife of 
George Kernan. who is principal of the 
schools in Summit, South Dakota; J. H., 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



485 



who is engaged in the real estate Ijusiness in 
Summit, and owns the site of tlie new Car- 
negie; Mabel Emma, the wife of Ed. Gib- 
son, who is editor of a paper in Welcome, 
Minnesota; Alice, the wife of E. Wartenbee, 
of Dexter, South Dakota; Laura, who is 
married and lives in Dexter ; and Roscoe, 
who makes his home with his mother in 
Summit, South Dakota. 

Mr. Alexander, whose name introduces 
this review, together with his mother and 
his brother, J. H. Alexander, took home- 
stead claims near Dexter, South Dakota, and 
made the necessarv- improvera,ents thereon 
whereby to secure their titles. In his early 
youth our subject attended the district 
schools of Buena Vista county and was also 
a student in Sac City for several years. He 
spent one year in an academy at Wilson 
Junction, and one year continuing his edu- 
cation at Osage. He had worked with his 
father at carpentering and in the car shops, 
and thus gained a good knowledge of the 
business, so that when he started in business 
on his own account at the age of twenty- 
three years, he was well equipped fur the 
duties that devolved upon him. He be- 
came a contractor and builder of Mason City, 
where he remained for two years, and then 
entered the service of the John Paul Lumber 
Company, being the second man in their 
employ. After si.x months he was sent to 
Nora Springs, Iowa, to manage their inter- 
ests there and continued in charge until the 
spring of 189 1. On the 8th of May of that 
year he came to Pomeroy as their agent and 
later became a partner in the W'oodford & 
Wheeler Lumber Com])any, acting as man- 
ager of the business for two years. In 1893 
he was admitted to an equal partnership in 
their enterprise and his labors and business 



ability contributed in no small measure to 
its success. In 1897 he established the lum- 
ber business under the firm name of C. A\'. 
Alexander & Company, which was incorpor- 
ated under the laws of Iowa. This firm be- 
gan operations at Vermillion, South Dakota, 
and is now conducting a successful business 
there. Mr. Alexander is thoroughly in- 
furmed concerning lumber values and 
through his enterprise and capable manage- 
ment, he has succeeded in building up an 
e-\tensi\'e trade. 

In March, 1885, was celebrated the mar- 
riage of our subject and Miss Lucy T. Bar- 
ton, a daughter of \\". H. and Emilia 
(Clarke) Barton, both of whom were na- 
tives of Vermont. Her father is now a re- 
tired farmer and makes his home in Minne- 
sota. The marriage of our subject and his 
wife has been blessed with seven children, 
namely: Amelia Sarah, born February, 
1886; Arthur B.. born January 24. 1888; 
Paul, born in December, 1889; Addie S., 
born in August, 1891 : Barton, born in June, 
1893; Clarke, bnrn in December, 1895; and 
Lucian H., born in )Sq8. 

At the time of the great cyclune which 
swept over Pomeroy on the 6th of July. 
1893. Mr. Alexander and his wife and five 
children were in their home and he was 
slightly injured. All of the shingles, the 
lurches, the roof and the back part of the 
house were carried away, but on account of 
the front door being left open there was a 
draught which swept through the house and 
not against it, and thus it was saved. In Feb- 
ruary, '1902, Mr. Alexander sold his inter- 
ests in the lumber yard at Pomeroy to his 
l)artners there and bought a lumber yard at 
Lnhrville, Iowa, also a lumber yard at 
Rands. Iowa, and increased the capital stock 



486 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of the C. W. Alexander & Co. corpcration 
to $100,000, and expects to establish a line 
of yards along the Great Western Railroad 
on the new line from Fort Dodge to Omalia. 
passing through Lohrville and making 
Lohrville headquarters. Mr. Alexander is 
very prominent in fraternal circles, belong- 
ing to Solar Lodge, Xo. 475, F. & A. M., 
in which he is now serving as senior warden. 
Both he and his wife are connected with the 
order of the Eastern Star and they belong 
to the Royal Neighbors. He is likewise a 
member of the Modern Woodmen Camp, 
and gives his firm allegiance to the benef- 
icent principles upon which these fratern- 
ities are founded. In musical circles Mr. 
Alexander is considered one of the best mu- 
sicians in the country. He possesses a heavy, 
rich, bass voice of wonderful range and 
power, hence his services are always in de- 
mand to assist in furnishing appropriate 
music for the special occasions during the 
year. In religious faith he is a Baptist and 
in his political belief is a Republican. He 
has served as a member of the city council 
for two years and for ten years has been 
a member of the school board, the cause of 
education findins: in him a warm friend. 



SANFORD L. KENT. 

Sanford L. Kent, who is engaged in gen- 
eral farming and stock raising, is a well- 
known representative of agricultural inter- 
ests, and steadily has he advanced to a posi- 
tion among the affluent men of the commun- 
ity. He was born in Clinton county, Xew 
York, on the Saranac river. August 23, 
1844. His father. Helmer B. Kent, was 



born in the same county in March, 1799. 
and is a representative of a family of Eng- 
lish origin. He married Sarah Moore, who 
was born near Lake Champlain, in New 
York, about 1822, the marriage being cele- 
brated about 1839. They became the par- 
ents of six children : Marietta, the wife of 
Alexander J. Buckless, a resident of Lowell, 
Massachusetts : Caroline, now deceased, and 
who was the wife of Wallace ]\lcKinny; 
Sanford L., the subject of this review; 
Henry, who is living in Lowell, Massachu- 
setts ; Susan, who became the wife of John 
Bigelow, a resident of Ellenberg, Center 
county, Xew York; and William X., who 
resides in Manson, Iowa. The father of 
this family was a blacksmith by trade, fol- 
lowing that pursuit for forty years. He 
spent his entire life in the county of his na- 
tivity, passing away in 1879, "^vhile his wife 
died in March, 1880. 

Sanford L. Kent acquired his early edu- 
cation in Clinton county, and in 186 1 re- 
sponded to the call for troops to aid in the 
suppression of the rebellious spirit of the 
south. He joined the Xinth Vermont In- 
fantry, hut on account of his youth was not 
sent out of the state. He was at that time 
hardly seventeen }ears of age. On the 28th 
of December, 1863, however, he once more 
enlisted, becoming a member of Company 
M, Fifteenth X'ew York Cavalry, under 
command of Captain Seth J. Stevens and 
Colonel Root. The regiment was assigned 
to the army of the Potomac, liecoming con- 
nected with Sheridan's cavalry in the Fifth 
Army Corps. ]\Ir. Kent was on detached 
service most of the time, but participated in 
the engagements of Fishers Hill. Piedmont 
and Lynchburg. He acted as mail carrier 
between Green Spring Run and the camp 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



487 



at Burlington for two months. This was a 
very dangerous position and attended with 
many liardships. In the winter of 1864 and 
1865 he acted as forage master near Win- 
chester, Virginia. In July, 1864, he was 
promoted to the rank of corporal and on the 
23rdof June, 1865, and was mustered out at 
Cloud ^lills. \'irginia. He was a faithful sol- 
dier, loyal to the cause which he espoused, 
and his efforts in behalf of his country were 
effective and and valuable. Returning to 
New York, Air. Kent remained in the Em- 
pire state until April, 1869, when he re- 
moved to Douglas county, Kansas, to spend 
only a few weeks there, and in May came 
to Calhoun county, Iowa, securing a home- 
stead in Sherman township. Here he has 
been continuously since and is familiar with 
pioneer history. In the early days he trapped 
muskrats for their hide and underwent all 
the hardships and privations of pioneer life. 
August 2, 1870. the house was entirely de- 
stroyed by a tornado. It was night and 
the famih- were all in the rooms on the sec- 
ond floor. They sustained a number of 
bruises, btit none of them were seriously in- 
jured. During the cyclone of 1893 many 
trees upon the place were blown down, but 
very little damage otherwise was done. Mr. 
Kent owns altogether three hundred and 
twenty acres of valuable land, including the 
southeast quarter of section 26, Sherman 
township, upon which he is now li\ing. and 
the northeast quarter of section 2^. He 
raises a great deal of stock, having one hun- 
dred and twenty-tive head of cattle upon his 
farm at the present time. He breeds Here- 
ford catlte and expects in time to have a 
herd of full-blooded animals. He also 
makes a specialty of the raising of Poland 
Cliina hogs, and the stock from his farm 



finds a ready sale on the market owing to its 
high grade. His land is all fenced and tilled 
and many excellent improvements have been 
placed upon his property, transforming it 
into a very desirable tract. For twenty 
years after he came to the county he con- 
ducted a threshing machine, and at one time 
he engaged in buying and selling cattle for 
shipment, but now raises all of the stock 
which he ships. In addition to his farm he 
owns city property in Manson and is today 
one of the most progressive and prosperous 
agriculturists of his community. 

On the 27th of March, 1867. Mr. Kent 
was united in marriage to Frances Bishop, 
who was born April 4, 1848. Her father, 
Jefferson Bishop, who was a native of Essex 
county, New York, was born April 9, 1822, 
and his death occurred in 1879. His wife, 
who bore the maiden name of Frances 
Tomlinson, was Ixirn in Essex county, New 
York, in 1828, and departed this life on the 
2nd of August, 1852. They were married 
in their native county and became the par- 
ents of three children, namely : Mrs. Kent ; 
-Mice, the wife of Mark Creaser. of Britton. 
South Dakota: and Mary, the widow of 
Henry Hyde, of Chicago. Eight children 
have blessed the marriage of our subject and 
his wife: Fred L.. who was born June 25, 
1868. and is living in Corvallis, Oregon; 
\\'ill H., who was born .Sei)teml)er 20, 1872, 
and is principal of the scliools in Millers- 
burg, Illinois; Chauncey, 1)orn January 15, 
1871, and died April 8, 1875; Ida, who was 
born Augiist i5,- 1874. and passed away on 
the 4th of April, 1875; Hervia, born Jan- 
uary 31, 1877. and whose death occurred 
September 5, 1877; Leslie, whose birth oc- 
curred on the 22nd of August, 1878, and 
who is now residing in Calhoun countv ; 



488 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Victor, born August 25, 1880, also a resi- 
dent of Calhoun county, and Eugene, 
torn on July 2-/, 1890, at home with 
his parents. The parents hold member- 
ship in the Methodist church at Manson, 
and Mr. Kent exercises his right of fran- 
chise in support of the men and measures of 
the Republican party. He has been a mem- 
ber of the board of county supervisors for 
six years and for one year served as its 
chairman. \Miile serving on the board, he 
was instrumental in securing the erection 
of the new county house, the contract price 
being ninety-one hundred and sixty-one dol- 
lars, while the cost was ten thousand dollars. 
Air. Kent has also been constable, trustee, 
road supervisor and school director, and in 
every position which he has been called upon 
to fill, he has proved his loyalty to the gen- 
eral good by the faithful performance of 
duty. He has attended many conventions 
of his party and is a leading and influential 
Republican of his community. His wife 
was the first woman to ride over the Illinois 
Central railroad from Fort Dodge to Man- 
son, and both Mr. and ]\Irs. Kent are well- 
known pioneer people, who for many years 
have witnessed the growth and development 
of this section of the state. When our sub- 
ject arrived in Calhoun county his cash cap- 
ital consisted of only one hundred and twen- 
ty-nine dollars in money and in addition he 
had a few household effects. Today he 
stands among the prosperous farmers of this 
portion of the state and a record of the inter- 
vening years shows that his life has been one 
of marked activity, energy and perseverance. 
Realizing that there is no royal road to 
wealth, with persistent effort he undertook 
the task of acquiring a good home and a 
competence and has succeeded admirably in 



the work he set himself to do. ' His sound 
business judgment, supplementing his un- 
faltering industry, have enabled him to ad- 
vance step by step until he occupies a prom- 
inent position among the prosperous and 
honored men of Calhoun countv. 



HUGH C. MOORE. 



This well known and popular business 
man of Knierim, Iowa, is one of Calhoun 
county's native sons and a worth represen- 
tative of one of her most prominent and hon- 
ored families, whose identification with her 
history dates from an early period in the de- 
velopment of the county. His father, Thom- 
as Moore, was born in New York about 
1845, and when three years old accompanied 
his parents on their removal to \\'ellington 
county, Canada. Two years later his mother 
died and the father only survived her three 
years. Thus Mr. Moore was left an orphan 
at the early age of eight years. In 1865 he 
and L. Kidder, now a resident of Cedar 
Rapids, Iowa, left Detroit, Michigan, and 
came west. For some time they were in the 
government service as scouts on the plains, 
and letl the life of frontiersmen for four 
years. They were known on the plains as 
Little Buckskin and Big Buckskin, Mr. 
Moore being six feet nine inches in height, 
while Mr. Kidder was only fi\-e feet, six 
inches. The friendship between these two 
was much like that of Jonathan and David, 
and when they separated and settled down 
on homesteads in Iowa they agreed that 
when either should die the other would at- 
tend the funeral if possible to do so. This 
pledge was faithfully kept by Mr. Kidder, 
who responded in person to a telegram an- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



491 - 



nouncing tlie death of Mr. I\Ioore, October 
19, 1899. and was one of the the six men 
to bear the body of his old comrade to tlie 
grave. On his return from the west in 
1868 the father of our subject first settled 
at Cedar Falls, but the following year came 
_ to Calhoun county and secured a homestead 
in Center township, where he engaged in 
farming throughout the remainder of his 
life. \\'hile on the plains he once walked 
from Nebraska City to Santa Fe, Xew Mex- 
ico, a distance of fourteen hundred miles, its 
requiring three months to make the trip. He 
drove an ox-team hauling supplies, and on 
his arrival in New ^Mexico worked on a gov- 
ernment fort. He was also employed as a 
woodman for a time and the hardships he 
was forced to^ endure in those early days 
would require a whole chapter to relate. 
When he homesteaded land in this state he 
walked from Furt Dodge to his farm. He 
was one of the most prominent and influen- 
tial men of his community, and was fre- 
quently solicited to become a candidate for 
important official positions, but always re- 
fused, though he served as trustee of Center 
township from 1891 to 1895, and was again 
the nominee of his party for that office at 
the time of his death. He always affiliated 
with the Democratic party, and his friends 
tried in vain to persuade him to become a 
candidate for representative just before his 
death. In childhood he had but limited op- 
portunity for acquiring an education, only 
attending school for a few mouths, but he 
always kept abreast with the times and was 
well-read and thoroughly informed on the 
questions and issues of the day. He was also 
a good conversationalist and his mental qual- 
ities were much aljove the average. He was 
not only kind and charitable, but was the 
soul or honor and truth. His funeral was 



one of the largest ever seen in Calhoun coun- 
ty, many coming from long distances to pay 
their last triljute of respect to the departed. 
These included his brother, William Moore, 
from Anselmo, Ncliraska. The service was 
a very impressive one and was performed 
by Rev. Father Hehir at the Catholic church 
in Manson, Iowa, of which Mr. Moore was 
a communicant. Politically he was a stal- 
wart Democrat and a standard bearer of his 
party. 

On the 22d of May, 1871,, Thomas 
Moore was united in marriage with Miss 
Margaret Clarke, a daughter of Hugh G. 
and Ellen Clarke. Her father died in Au- 
gust, 1 88 1, and her mother now makes her 
home with Mrs. Foley in Manson, Iowa. 
Mrs. Moore is now making preparations' to 
locate on her claim in Oklahoma territory. 
She is the mother of se\-en, children, who in 
order of birth are as follows: Clarence J., 
who is now married and engaged in tlie drug 
business in Lohrville, Iowa: Hugh C, our 
subject; F. W., who is engaged in clerking 
in Manson; Nellie, a bookkeeper at Grinnell, 
Iowa; Frank, who is operating the home 
farm; Frances, who is teaching school in 
this county; and Joseph, who is now ten 
years old and is with his mother. The chil- 
dren have all been afforded good educational 
advantages and the family is one of promi- 
nence in the community where they reside. 
The father had one sister, Mrs. Elizabeth 
Fisher, who was drowned in Lake Erie. 

Reared in this county, Hugh C. Moore 
attended its public schools throughout his 
boyhood and youth, and on leaving home at 
the age of eighteen yea-rs went to El Reno, 
Oklahoma, where he ser\-ed as deputy coun- 
ty clerk under W. j. Clarke for two years. 
He next went to \Mchita, Kansas, and en- 
tered the business college of that place, from 



492 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



which he was graduated in June, 1895, hav- 
ing pursued a commercial course in that in- 
stitution. He then returned to EI Reno and 
worked in the clerk's office until November, 
1895, when he came to Manson, Iowa, and 
for a short time was in the employ of T. E. 
Maiden, a grain dealer. In the spring of 
1896 he commenced working on the home 
farm, and the following winter taught school 
in Sherman township, resuming agricultural 
pursuits when warm weather came again. 
Mr. Moore next accepted a position in the 
drug store of his brother Clarence J., at Lohr- 
\ille, where he remained until ^larch, 1899, 
and then attended the Highland Park School 
of Pharmacy for three months, after which 
he returned to Lohrville. In February, 1900, 
he became a registered pharmacist, ha\'ing 
passed the required examination before the 
state board, and on the 5th of the following 
March bought the stock of general merchan- 
dise and drugs of J. H. Kelly at Knierim in 
partnership with T. O. McDermott, and 
they are now doing a successful business un- 
der the firm name of Moore & ^McDermott. 
The carrv a large and well-selected stock, 
and by fair and honorable dealing have built 
up an excellent trade. In religious belief Mr. 
Moore is a Catholic, and in political senti- 
ment is a Democrat. He is a member of the 
Modern Woodmen of America and the 
Brotherhood of American Yeoman, and so- 
cially is quite popular. 



W. A. TOWXSEXD. 

Among the earnest men whose depth of 
character and strict adherence to principle 
excite the admiration of his contemporaries 
Mr. Townsend was prominent. Banking 



institutions are the heart of the commercial 
bodv indicating the healthfulness of trade, 
and the bank that follows a safe, conserva- 
tive business policy does more to establish 
public confidence in times of widespread 
financial depression than anything else. 
Such a course has the Citizens Bank fol- 
lowed under the able management of the 
subject of this sketch, who until his death, 
which occurred June 3, 1902, was its presi- 
dent. For thirty years he was a resident of 
Lake City, and his efforts contributed in no 
small degree to its improvement and de- 
velopment. 

Mr. Tcxwnsend was l)orn in Oneida 
county. New York, January 2. 1834, and 
was a son of Henry and Emily (Harrison) 
Townsend, both of whom \\ere nati\-es of 
England. In that country they were reared 
and married, and about 1824 crossed the 
Atlantic to the United States, locating first 
in New York, whence they afterward made 
their way to Illinois in 1839, settling on a 
farm there, near Sycamore, DeKalb county, 
before the land came into market. There 
they spent their remaining days, the father 
devoting his energies to agricultural pur- 
suits throughout his business career. Mr. 
Townsend was one of a family of nine chil- 
dren and was the third in order of birth. 
His educational pri\ileg"es were very 
meager, he attending the old-time subscrip- 
tion schools of Illinois for about one month 
during each year. After he had reached the' 
age of ten years his time and attention were 
en.tirely given to farm work until after his 
marriage, wdien he divided his time between 
farming and blacksmithing. The year 
1867 witnessed his arrival in Iowa. He 
took up his abode in Benton county, but in 
1869 sold his business interests there and 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



493 



removed to Carroll county. In 1872 he 
came to Lake City, where he established a 
blacksmith shop, which he conducted for 
three years. On the expiration of that period 
he engaged in the livery and hotel business 
for two years and was afterward connected 
with stock dealing for two years. Latef 
other business pursuits claimed his energies 
until the winter of 1885, when he embarked 
in the banking business as one of the or- 
ganizers of the Citizens Bank. He was also 
engag'ed in the loan business and to a con- 
sidable extent dealt in real estate, handling 
both city and country property. His labors 
in this direction contributed to the improve- 
ment and upbuilding of the community. 
He erected the Townsend block, in which 
the bank is located, and also another busi- 
ness house east of the bank, together with 
the Columbia building. Tliis, however, did 
not cover the extent of his city property, and 
from his real-estate investments he derived 
a good income. He made of the Citizens 
Bank, of which he was president, a solid 
financial institution worthy of the confidence 
and support of the public, for he ever fol- 
lowed safe and conservative methods and 
his business integrity was above question. 
Mr. Townsend was married in Illinois, 
in 1855, to Miss Sarah Foster, who was 
born in Maine and went to the Prairie state 
when six years of age. The)- became the 
jxirents of three sons and also had an 
adopted daughter, now deceased. One son, 
E. W., is cashier of the bank, but the other 
members of the family have passed away. 
Prominent in the affairs of the city, Mr. 
Townsend was called to public office by 
those who recognized his ability and worth. 
For two terms he served as councilman, and 
was filling that position at the time of his 
death. For several terms he was constable, 



and was also deputy sheriff. He exercised 
his right of franchise in support of the men 
and measures of the Republican party. 
Fraternally he was a Mason, having been 
an exemplary manber of the craft since 
1869. In manner he was courteous and 
pleasant, winning friends by his genial dis- 
position and honorable character, wdiich 
commanded the respect of all. He was pub- 
lic spirited in an eminent degree, and 
through many years gave his support to 
whatever was calculated to promote the gen- 
eral welfare. In all the relations of life, 
whether as banker, real-estate man, society 
official or private citizen, he was faithful 
and true, and in his life work, eventful and 
varied as it was, no shadow of wrong or 
suspicion of evil-doing darkened his hon- 
ored pathway. Death came to him in the 
midst of a most useful and honorable career, 
and no citizen here has ever been more 
deeply mourned. 



EDWIN W. BURCH. 

Edwin ^^'. Burch, cashier of the Secur- 
ity Bank of Rockwell City, was born in 
Jackson townshijD, Calhoun county, Novem- 
ber 5, 1869. His ancestry is distinctively 
x-Xmerican, and at an early period in the his- 
tory of this section of Iowa the Burch fam- 
ily was establisiied here. In the district 
schools our subject obtained his early educa- 
tion, moving with his parents to Rockwell 
City, in December, 1881. He there attended 
school regularly until the summer of 1885, 
when he liegan to do office work, Ijeginning 
with his father, Rollin Burch, who was then 
county treasurer. Through the next two 
years he diil clcric;il wcrk for George R. 



494 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Allison, county treasurer, W. E. Fuller, 
county auditor, and C. E. Offenbach, county 
recorder, and it is said of him that he was 
never out of employment. 

On the 1st of July, 1887, he entered the 
office of George L. Brower tO' learn the ab- 
stract, farm loan and real estate business, 
and received instruction from L. R. Patty, a 
very thorough business man. After work- 
ing there during the months of July and 
August he returned September ist to the 
office of Mr. Allison, where he assisted in 
collecting the second installment of tax for 
that year. 

On the 14th of October, 1887, Mr. 
Burch returned tO' Mr. Brower's office, tak- 
ing charge of the abstract department of his 
business until the ist of November, 1891, 
when the land and abstract office became the 
Security Bank, and Mr. Burch aided in its 
organization and has since that time served 
as cashier. 

On the 30th of June, 1897, Mr. Burch 
was united in marriage to Miss Lillian 
Loughhead, who resided in the family of 
her uncle, R. W. Murphey, then county su- 
perintendent of schools, the wedding being 
celebrated in the Murphey home in Rock- 
well City. She was born in Morris, Illinois, 
November 21, 1875, a daughter of Charles 
W. and Esther (Murphey) Loughhead. 
Both were born of American parentage, the 
mother a native of Canada. They resided 
for several years in Grundy county, Illinois, 
removing to Grundy count}', Iowa, in 1879, 
where her father died in that same year. 
Her mother removed with her people to 
Calliiiun county, Iowa, in 1S82, but died the 
following year. 

Mrs. Burch taught several terms of 
school in the rural districts of this county, 
later attending the \\'oodl)ine (Idwa) Nor- 



mal School, where she graduated with the 
class of 1896. The following school year 
she taught one of the intermediate grades 
in the schools of Lake City, Iowa. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Burch has been born 
one child. Edwin \\\, born November 22, 
1901. The parents hold membership in the 
Baptist church and are active in church and 
Sunday-school work. Their home is on the 
southeast corner of Seventh and Court 
streets, in Rockwell Citv. 



DAVID T. MARTIN. 

From no professional man do we ex- 
pect or exact so' many of the cardinal vir- 
tues as from the physician. If the clergy- 
man is austere we imagine that his mind is 
absorbed with the contemplation of things 
beyond our ken ; if our lawyer is bruscpie 
and crabbed, it is the mark of genius; Init 
in the physician we expect not only a su- 
perior mentality and comprehensive knowl- 
edge but sympathy as wide as the universe. 
Dr. Martin in large measure meets all of 
these requirements and is regarded l)y many 
as an ideal physician. Certainly if patronage 
is any criterion of ability he ranks high 
among the leading physicians and surgeons 
in Pomeroy, where he is now enjoying a 
large and lucrative practice. 

The Doctor is a native of McLeansboro, 
Illinois. Ijorn Septemijer 5, 1854. His fa- 
ther, M. M. Martin, was a Baptist minister, 
who was born in Virginia in 1833. He 
married Miss Dora Sarp, who was a native 
of Germany and died in 1861. For many 
years Rev. Martin devoted his life to the 
work of the ministry. He obtained his 
tlieiildgical cducalioTi in Tennessee and \'ir- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



495 



ginia and is a man of scholarly attainments. 
He is now retired from his profession and 
lived at Marshall, Texas, for a time, hav- 
ing charge of the Doctor's ranch at that 
place, bnt now the land is leased and Rev. 
Martin makes his home in the Indian Terri- 
tory. In his political \ie\vs he is a Repub- 
lican. Unto him and his wife were born 
four children. Dr. D. T. Martin being the 
eldest. Edgar S. Alartin is a railroad con- 
ductor and is married and resides in Jones- 
boro, Arkansas. Grace is the wife of Will- 
iam Green, of Ardmore, Indian Territory. 
Charles R., the youngest of the family, is a 
railroad conductor, living in Memphis, Ten- 
nessee. 

Dr. ^lartin obtained collegiate educa- 
tional privileges which he improved, thus 
laving a broad foundation on which tn build 
the superstructure of professional knowl- 
edge. He is a graduate of the hig'h school 
at Ashley, Illinois, and also pursued a nor- 
mal course in the Southern Illinois Uni- 
versity, at Carbondale, Illinois, where he 
remained as a student for two years. Sub- 
sequently he engaged in teaching and was 
a most capable instructor, imparting readily 
and clearly to others the knowledge that he 
had acquired. He taught school for four 
terms in Illinois before his marriage, and 
for twO' terms in Tolono, Champaign coun- 
ty, after his marriage. His college educa- 
tion was obtained entirely through his own 
efforts. It was his lalior that enabled him 
to prepare for th-e profession, and without 
financial assistance he gained his knowledge 
of the science of medicine whereby he ha? 
advanced to a prominent jjosition in the 
ranks of the medical fraternities. His pre- 
ceptors were Dr. Pace, of Ashley, and Dr. 
Darrah, of Blomington, lllin<iis. He also 
pursued [)Ost-gTaduate wnrk in New York 



in 1888, and has done post-graduate work 
in the Rush Medical College of Chicago 
during' the past six or seven years. He was 
graduated from that institution in Febru- 
ary, 1882, but he did not consider his stud- 
ies finished and throughout all the inter- 
\ening years he has carried on his research 
and investigation, utilizing every means 
that would advance his knowledge and 
make his service more effective in the allevi- 
ation of human suft'ering. 

The Doctor began practice in Manson, 
in April, 1882, following his graduation 
from the Rush IMedical College, and there 
remained for nine years. On the expiration 
of that 2>eriod he came to Pomeroy, where 
he opened an office and also established a 
well-equipped drug' store, known as the 
City Drug Store. There was only one 
physician here when he become identified 
with the medical fraternity in Pomeroy. 
His practice extends over a wide area and 
he is the family physician in many of the 
best households, not only in the town but in 
the surrounding country. His skill and 
ability are of a high order and he keeps in 
touch with the progress that is being made 
in the profession, through his membership 
in the Fort Dodge District Medical Society, 
the Sioux Valley District Society and the 
State Medical Society. He is medical ex- 
aminer for twenty-three old-line insurance 
companies and is also pension examiner, be- 
longing to the Alanson board, in which he 
holds the office of treasurer. 

The Doctor was married at Bowling 
Green, Kentucky, on the 21st of ]\Iarch, 
1878, to' Mi.ss Susie M. Larnmn, the daugh- 
ter of Judge Isaac and Mary E. (Cros- 
tlnvait) Larmon. She was born in Rnssell- 
ville, Kentucky, August 7, 1857. Her fa- 
ther was a native of Tennessee and her. 



496 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



mother of the Bkie Grass state. Mrs. Mar- 
tin is the eldest in their family of eight chil- 
dren, the others being : Vivian, who is re- 
siding in Texas; Margaret, the wife of Dr. 
Burdett, of Omaha, Nebraska ; Isaac ; Ed- 
win B., who is the editor of the Pomeroy 
Herald; Joseph, a druggist of Donnellson, 
Iowa ; Grace, who is a popular and capable 
teacher in Pipestone, Minnesota ; and Orin, a 
merchant in Omaha. Nebraska. The Doc- 
tor and Mrs. Martin have but one child, 
Loran Marshall Martin. He was born in 
Tolono, Illinois, and was graduated in the 
high school of Pomeroy, Iowa, in the class 
of 1894. He is also a graduate of Cornell 
College, O'f this state, having completed the 
course in 1898. and at the present time he is 
a student in the Rush Medical College, pur- 
suing a scientific and medical course. He 
has been most successful in his educational 
work, never missing a grade in either the 
high school or in his medical studies. He 
was married August 29, 1901, to Miss Jes- 
sie Shreves, who is a native of this state and 
a representative of one of its most promi- 
nent families. He is a young man of whom 
his parents have everv reason to be proud, 
and his life will undoubtedly add a lustre to 
the untarnished family record. In the storm 
which swept over Pomeroy in 1893 t'"'^ Doc- 
tor's home was so^ badly damaged that he 
had to rebuild it. The Martin household is 
noted for its hospitality. 

The Doctor is a very prominent Ala- 
son, connected with \'arious jjranches of the 
fraternity. For several years he has been 
the treasurer of Solar Lodge, No. 475, F. & 
A. M., of Pomeroy; belongs to IManson 
Chapter, R. A. M.. and the Commandery at 
Fort Dodge, and is identified with the Mys- 
tic Shrine at Cedar Rapids. He also be- 
longs to the Modern Woodmen Camp and 



to the Elks Society of Fort Dodge. For 
eleven years he has served as a member of 
the school board, acting as president 
throughout that period. The cause of edu- 
cation found in him a warm friend and he 
has done everything in his po'wer to advance 
the cause of the schools. He was largeh- in- 
strumental in building up the present high 
school, advancing to this step, from the un- 
graded country schools, and now Pomeroy 
has one of the best high schools in the state. 
He presented to the school library a fine vol- 
ume of encyclopedias. The Doctor is pub- 
lic spirited and progressive, withholding his 
co-operation from no movement or meas- 
ure calculated to prove of general good. 
Politically he is a stanch Republican, and 
upholds the standard of his party without 
wa\-ering. He belongs to the Methodist 
church and his wife is a member of the Ba]> 
tist church but attends the services of the 
former denomination. In his profession he 
stands among the foremost in the county. 
He has a splendid library filled with volumes 
of the latest medical works, and his surgi- 
cal cases are filled with the best instruments 
calculated to promote his efficienc}' in that 
line of practice. He is deeply interested in 
everything that tends to give to man the 
key to that complex problem which wc call 
life, and the public and the press accord to 
him distinction in connection with the prac- 
tice which he is making his life work. 



CHARLES F. MORRIS. 

Charles F. Morris, a blacksmith and ma- 
chinist residing in Pomeroy, was born in 
Palos, St. Lawrence county. New York, 
September 28, 1844. His father, James H. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



497 



Morris, was also a nati\e of the Empire 
state, but the mother, who liorc the maiden 
name of Laura Farnsworth. was a native of 
Vermont. After their marriage the parents 
always resided in New York, and unto them 
were born seven children, namely : Alarv. 
Andrew J. and James, all deceased ; Charles 
F., of this review ; ^lary. who was the sec- 
ond of the name and has passed away; Al- 
vin, deceased : and Susan, the wife of James 
Thomas, of Xew Jersey. The parents are 
both deceased. At the time of the Civil 
war the father enlisted at Potsdam. Xew 
York, in the Ninety-second Regiment, and 
was sent to Fortress Monroe. Virginia. In 
one of the engagements near that place he 
was killed or wounded and no news was 
rfterward received from him, so that if he 
was not killed outright, he probably died 
soon afterward from his injuries. The 
mother departed this life in New York. 

In the public schools of his native state 
Charles F. Morris pursued his education, 
attending school during the winter season, 
wliile the work of the farm occupied his at- 
tention in the summer months. After the 
Civil war was inaugurated he ran away 
from home and with his two brothers, An- 
drew and James, he enlisted in his country's 
service, joining Company D, of the First 
New York Light Artillery, under Captain 
Kiefifer, on the 22d of August, 1861. The 
regiment was formed and organized at El- 
mira. .Xew "^'ork. and was commanded by 
Colonel Wainwright. It was attached to 
the .\rniv of the Potomac and made a part 
of the Third Army Corps. Mr. Morris par- 
ticipated in forty-two general engagements, 
including the battles of Yorktown. Fair 
Oaks. Williamsburg. Malvern Hill, Harri- 
son's Landing, the second battle of Bull 
Run, and tlie memorable engagement at 



Gettysburg where he was standing by the 
side of General Sickles when that com- 
mander was shot. He also took part in a 
number of engagements when the Con-fed- 
erates were retreating to Richmond and was 
in the battle of Manas-sas. — in fact, he was 
in every general engagement with the Armv 
of the Potomac and was wounded at Se\-en 
Pines. True to duty he never wa\'ered in 
the performance of any task allotted to him 
whether it called him into the thickest of the 
fight or led him to lonely patrol service. On 
the 6th of September, 1864, he received an 
honorable discharge antl with a creditable 
military record returned to his home. 

Mr. Morris then resided for a time with 
an uncle in Herman, New York, and was 
employed in a creamery and cheese factory 
at Gouverneur, New Y(jrk. for one year. In 
1867 he purchased a farm in St. Lawrence 
county, near Canton, in connection with his 
brother James, and the business association 
was maintained between them until the latter 
part of the year when our subject sold his 
interest to his brother. In the fall of 1868 
he came west, taking up his aljode in Clinton 
county, Iowa, where he rented a farm until 
1869. In that year he went to tlie land office 
at Fort Dodge and entered a claim to a 
homestead farm on section 22, Butler town- 
ship, Calhoun county. Returning to Clin- 
ton county, however, he there cnntinued ag- 
ricultural pursuits until the fall of 1871 
when he removed with his family to this 
county, settling uiion the liomestead which 
he continued to cultivate and im])ro\-e until 
1890. In that year he sold his farm prop- 
erty and removed to Pumeroy. The follow- 
ing year he opened a blacksmith, machine 
and repair shop and has since cnntinued in 
business, gaining a liberal jiatrnnagc because 
of his expert workmanship. 



498 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



On the 2Sth of September, 1868, Mv. 
;\Iorris was united in marriage to ]\Iiss Al- 
vira Willard, of Herman, New York. They 
became the parents of two children, Charles 
I., who is a telegraph operator in Straub- 
ville, Xorth Dakota, and Cora E., deceased. 
The wife and mother died Januar_v 4, 1878, 
and on the 25th of ^March, 1882, Mr. Morris 
was again married, his second union being 
with Ellen C. Popple, a native of the Empire 
state, where their marriage was celebrated. 
The children born of this union are: Lo- 
renzo, who died in infancy ; Hazel, who' died 
at the age of three years ; Cleason C. ; Wal- 
ter A. ; and Frank V.. who are with their 
parents. Mr. Alorris is a member of the 
Grand .Army Post at Pomeroy. In religious 
faith he is a Methodist and in politics has 
been a stalwart Republican since he cast his 
first presidential A-ote for Abraham Lincoln. 
He has served as school director and as road 
supervisor and at all times has been loyal to 
his duties of citizenship, being as true to his 
country to-day as when he wore the 1)lue 
uniform of the nation and followed the stars 
and stripes upon southern battlefields. Be- 
cause his life has been straightforward and 
trustworthy, he enjoys the esteem and re- 
gard of his fellow men and is counted nne 
of the representati\'e citizens of Pomeroy. 



.S.\:\[UEL RADLEY. Sr. 

There has alwa}s been a cli-)se connection 
between .Vnierica and England, — our mother 
coinitr\-. Both speaking the same tongue 
and ha\'ing manv interests in common, it is 
but natural that the sons of England ha\'e 
sought a home in .\merica. Among this 
class is Samuel Radlev, now an enterprising 



and progressive farmer of Lincoln township, 
Calhoun county. He was born in Yorkshire, 
England, June 2-,, 1823, and Is a son of 
John and Elizabeth (Hope) Radley, who 
were also natives of Yorkshire and there re- 
sided until after their marriage. In the year 
1830 the father came to the new world, tak- 
ing passage on the Clarkson, a sailing vessel 
which after a voyage of nine weeks reached 
the harbor of Quebec. There he remained 
for a few days, after which he went to Cham- 
plain, New York, devoting his energies to 
agricultural pursuits in that locality for ten 
years. On the expiration of that period he 
returned to Canada, where both he and his 
wife remained until called to the home be- 
yond. They vrere consistent members of the 
[Methodist Episc(^pal clunxh and enjoyed the 
high esteem of all who knew them. In their 
family were fi\'e children, of whom three are 
living: William, a resident of Canada; Mar- 
guerite, the wife of Peter Smith, also of 
Canada ; and Mary, the w'ife of Frank Smith, 
who makes his home in Canada. 

When Sanniel Radley was twenty-four 
years of age his father returned to Canada, 
but he remained in New York. He was mar- 
ried in Perrysville, that state, to Rosanna 
Abbott, a native of England, born Septemlier 
4, 1829. Her parents, James and Nancy 
(Winship) Abbott, were also natives of the 
"merrie isle," and in 1830 crossed the briny 
deep to the new world, taking up their abode 
in \'ermont, whence they removed to Clin- 
ton county. New York. That remained their 
place of residence until they departed this 
life. In their family were eleven children, 
of whom three are living. Mary became the 
wife of Holland Goss, and after his death, 
which occurred in New York, she married 
Leonard Perkins, w'ho has also passed away, 
but the widow is now residing in Illinois. 




SAMUEL RADLEY. 




MRS. SAMUEL RADLEY. 



I 

1 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



503 



Edward, the second sur\-iving member of the 
family, is a resident of Moortown, Xew 
York; and Luisina is the wife of Peter 
Snyder and resides in ^loortown, Xew York. 
Mr. and Mrs. Radley, of this review, began 
their domestic life in the Empire state, where 
they remained for four years, our subject 
devoting his energies to farming. On com- 
ing west he first settled in DeKalb county, 
Illinois, and was a representative of its ag- 
ricultural interests for eleven years. In 
1866 he arrived in Calhoun county, Iowa, 
and secured a homestead claim. The fact 
that all of the land had not been taken up 
by settlers but still belonged to the govern- 
ment is an indication of the pioneer condi- 
tions which then existed. Mr. Radley cast 
in his lot with the early settlers and at 
once began the development of the raw 
prairie which he has transformed into richly 
cultivated fields. He now has an arable tract 
of land and annually secures good harvests 
as a reward for his labors. 

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Radley has 
been blessed with five children : Samuel, 
Jr., a resident of North Dakota; Maggie, 
who became the wife of John McQuiston, of 
Ohio, by whom she had three children ; 
Leonard, who married Lilly McLaughlin, 
by whom he had four children, and who re- 
sides in Garfield township; Emma, the wife 
of Burt McLaughlin, of Blanket, Te.xas, by 
whom she has five children ; and William, a 
resident of Lincoln township, who married 
Eve Huggoboon, by whom he has one child. 
In his p<jliticial affiliations Mr. Radley is in- 
dependent, but his fellow townsmen, recog- 
nizing his worth and ability, have frequently 
called him to public office, and he has filled 
all of the township positions. He holds 
membership in the Congregational church of 
Manson and is a gentleman of straightfor- 

28 



ward purpose, over whose record there falls 
no shadow of wrong. His life has been 
quietly passed and his energy and strong de- 
termination have been the salient features 
in his successful career, enabling him to 
progress steadily toward the position of afflu- 
ence which he now occupies. 



DAVID A. MILLER. 

For twenty years David .\. Miller has 
been connected with railroad work as an 
employe of the Chicago & Northwestern 
Railway Company and his consecutive serv- 
ive with this corpor-ation has been an unmis- 
takable proof of his fidelity and his ability. 
He is one of Iowa's native sons, for his 
birth occurred in Keokuk county, December 
26, 1852. His father, William Miller, was 
a native of Union county, Kentucky, and in 
1839 came with his parents to Iowa, the 
family settling in Jefferson county when it 
was a wild and unimproved region. — In- 
dians still living in that neighborhood for 
several years after their arrival. All kinds 
of wild game was to be had in abundance, 
including deer, elk and turkeys, and furn- 
ished many a meal for the settlers. Wolves 
sometimes made the night hideous with their 
howling and the conditions of life were such 
as are always found in frontier regions be- 
fore civilization has transformed the country 
from its natural state. Aaron Miller, the 
grandfather of our subject, thus became an 
honored pioneer of Iowa and always bore 
his part in the progress and upbuilding of 
the locality. He had thirteen children, 
among whom was William, the father of 
our subject. He aided in the arduous task 



504 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



oi developing a new farm in Jefferson coun- 
ty and there carried on agricultural pursuits 
for a number of years. He was a soldier of 
the Civil war, joining the boys in blue of 
Company F, Thirty-third Iowa Infantry, 
with which he served for three years, sus- 
taining wounds in battle, but he never fal- 
tered in the discharge of his military duty 
and was most loyal to the old flag and the 
cause it represented. In 1840 he was mar- 
ried tO' jVIiss Jane McKee, who was a native 
of Warren county, Pennsylvania, and with 
her parents removed to the west in 1839. 
Her father, David McKee, was likewise born 
in the Keystone state and by his marriage 
had a large family. Mr. and Mrs. Miller 
became the parents of fourteen children, five 
sons and nine daughters, and of this number 
nine are yet living. Louisa, who is the- wife 
of Silas New, resides near Lake City. The 
parents of our subject resided in Missouri 
for one year, were afterward residents of 
Story county, Iowa, and in 1883 came from 
Dakota to this state, settling at Jewell Junc- 
tion, where the father died March 16, 1900. 
The mother is still living at the age of seven- 
ty-five vears and makes her home in Lake 
City. 

David A. Miller is indebted to the public 
school system of Keokuk county for the edu- 
cational prix'ileges which lie enjoyed, and on 
putting aside his text-books he began life on 
a farm, following agricultural pursuits until 
1 88 1, when he entered the railroad service. 
It was in Xo\-ember of that year that he 
began work as a carpenter for the Chicago 
& Northwestern Railroad Company, at Jew- 
ell Junction, and subsequently he became an 
engine-wi])er in the spring of 1882. In May 
of the following year he was made a fireman, 
running between Jewell Junction, Haward- 



en and Lake City, and on the 2nd of Decem- 
ber, 1887, he was promoted to engineer. 
The first trip which he made in this capacity 
was from Eagle Grove to Jewell Junction, 
in charge of a light engine, after which he 
took a train to Mapleton. He has been on 
the same division continuously and now has 
a passenger run between W'all Lake, Denni- 
son and Lake City. He has been very for- 
tunate in his work in that he has never 
been in any serious wrecks or accidents and 
has never been laid oft'. The former is un- 
doubtedly largely due to his great care and 
his understanding of the responsibility 
which devolves upon him. He is popular in 
railroad circles and is well known and high- 
ly esteemed in the commiuiity where he re- 
sides. 

On the 27th of December, 1874, Mr. 
Miller was united in marriage to Sarah A. 
Gallahan, of Lincoln county. South Dakota, 
a daughter of Andrew Gallahan. Her par- 
ents were members of the United Brethren 
church and both are now deceased. In the 
territorial days of Iowa her father settled in 
this state and in 1869 removed to Dakota. 
He was born and reared in Ohio, but became 
an active factor in pioneer development in 
the west. He died in Rock Falls, Iowa, 
August 26, 1886, and his wife passed away 
in Harrisburg, South Dakota, April 18, 
1882. Mrs. ]\Iiller has one brother, who is 
a ranchman in Idaho, and two of her sisters 
are also living. The marriage of our sub- 
ject and his wife has been blessed with three 
cliildren, Alta, the wife of R. A. Fuller, of 
Jewell Junction ; George, who is living in 
Omaha and is in the employ of the Amer- 
ican Express Company : and Cora, at home. 
They have also reared an adopted daughter, 
Maude Gallahan. In Mav, 1882, our sub- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



505 



ject removed with his family to Lake Git)', 
which at that time was the terminal of the 
Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, and here 
Mr. and Mrs. Miller and their children have 
become widely known, their circle of friends 
being almost co-extensive with the circle of 
their acquaintances. Fraternally Mr. Miller 
is connected with the Brotherhood of Loco- 
motive Engineers, and belongs to both the 
subordinate lodge and encampment of the 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows' and the 
Ancient Order of United Workmen, while 
both he and his wife hold membership with 
the Rebekah degree. They are also mem- 
bers of the Presbyterian church, and in the 
community where they reside their many ex- 
cellencies of character have gained for them 
warm regard. 



ADOLPH G. RICHTER. 

This well known citizen of Lake Creek 
township is a man whose successful struggle 
with adverse circumstances shows what can 
be done by industry antl economy, especially 
if a sensible wife second his efforts to secure 
a home and competence. Mr. Richter was 
born in Marquette, Michigan, June 19, 1855, 
and is a son of Carl and Henrietta (Rohl) 
Richter, both natives of Germany, the form- 
er born in the province of Prussia, and the 
latter near Wurtemberg. When a young 
man the father emigrated to America and 
his life was largely si>ent in Michigan and 
Minnesota. He made farming his chief oc- 
cupation, but to some extent also engaged 
in railroad contracting and hotel keeping. 
He died in Minnesota on the nth of Sqi- 
tember, 1895, at the age of seventy years. 



honored and respected by all who knew him. 
His wife, who was born July 4, 1830, is 
still living in that state. Their family con- 
sisted of six children, four of whom are now- 
living, namely : Adolph G., Amos C, Frank 
and Mrs. Minnie Hanks. 

Mr. Richter of this review spent his boy- 
hood and youth in his native state, and is 
indebted to its public schools for his educa- 
tional privileges. At the age of eighteen 
years he learned the trades of painting and 
paper-hanging, which he follows to some ex- 
tent up to the present time. His first pur- 
chase of land was a tract of forty acres in 
Minnesota, which he and his brother Amos 
bought in partnership. He subsequently 
sold his interest to his brother, and coming 
to Calhoun county, Iowa, in March, 1882, 
he purchased his present farm in Lake Creek 
township. It consisted of one hundred and 
eighteen acres of raw land, for which he 
paid seven dollars and a half per acre. It 
has been cleared from indebtedness by the 
sale of the products raised thereon. Mr. 
Richter carries on mixed farming, raising 
about fifty acres of corn and twenty acres 
of small grain annually, and keeping aljout 
thirty head of shorthorn cattle. Upon his 
place he has built a fine barn, thirty-four by 
fifty feet in dimensions, with twenty foot 
posts, and forty-three feet high, and in 1901 
he also erected a comfortable and substantial 
residence. He has made all of the improve- 
ments upon the place, and to-day has one of 
the l>est appointed farms in the township. 

On the 22d of April, 1880, Mr. Richter 
led to the marriage altar Miss Sarah Iwig, 
who was born in Tazwell county, Illinois, 
October 14, 1857, a daughter of Philip and 
Mary (Ramige) Iwig. Her father was 
born in Germany, in 1830, but her mother 



5o6 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



was a native of New York, born in 1833. 
Mr. and ^Irs. Richter liave four children, 
whose names and dates of birth are as fol- 
lows: Emma E., January 14, 1881; George 
Walter, June 20, 1884; IMinnie M., June 30, 
1888; and Annie L., June 24. 1892. The 
family attend the United Evangelical church, 
and Mr. Richter gives his political support 
to the men and measures of the Republican 
party. He is a hard-working, energetic 
man, and his success in life is due entirely 
to his own industry, good management and 
the assistance of his estimable wife. 



ORRIX WOODEX. 



For thirty-six years Orrin Wooden has 
been a resident of Calhoun county. Xot 
many were the settlers who antedated his 
arrival, and throtigh the long period which 
has elapsed he has borne an active part in 
the improvement and upbuilding. He was 
born in Delaware county, Xew York, March 
18, 1833. His father, John Henry Wood- 
en, was a native of Putnam county, Xew 
York, born in 1798, and after attaining to 
years of maturity, he wedded Mary Hamil- 
ton, of Lexington, X^ew York, the marriage 
ceremony being performed in Delaware 
county. They began their domestic life 
upon a farm, which they made their home 
throughout their remaining days. Tiie 
mother of our subject died in 1847, s"d' 
the father aferward married Catherine 
Rooney. He was a Whig in his political 
views in early life and afterward became a 
Republican, while his religious faith was in- 
dicated by his membership in the Baptist 
church. He died December 16, 1881. and 
the communitv mourned the loss of one of 



its valued citizens. His second wife, how- 
ever, is still living. By his first marriage he 
had seven children, namely : Phitena, Ed- 
win, Andrew, Orrin, Emily, Cyrus and 
Maria. The children born of the second 
mai riage are : Mary Jane, Susan, Fannie, 
Alice and Henry. 

In a log schoolhouse on Bushkill Brook, 
near Andes, New York, Orrin Wooden pur- 
sued his education, acquiring a knowledge 
of the elementary branches of English learn- 
ing, but at the age of fourteen years he put 
aside his text-books in order to earn his own 
living and acquired the means of livelihood 
by serving as a common laborer in Delaware 
county. His time was thus passed until his 
marriage, which occurred on the ist of Jan- 
uary, 1862, in Margaretsville, New York, 
the lady of his choice being Miss Sarah 
Helen Carroll, who was born in New York. 
Octol^er 7, 1842, a daughter of John and 
Maria (Akerley) Carroll, also of the Em- 
pire state. Her father was a farmer, and 
in 1863 emigrated westward, taking up his 
abode in Carroll county, Illinois, where he 
remained for three years, after which he 
came to Calhoun county, Iowa, with his fam- 
ily. His death occurred January 4, 1890. 
but his widow is still living in this county. 
Their children are Freer, A\'arren, Ann, 
Mary and Kate. Unto Mr. and Mrs. \^■ood- 
en has been born but one child. Eugene, 
whose birth occurred October 25, 1864, in 
Carroll county. Illinois, and who is now 
managing the home farm of his father. 

Mr. and Mrs. Wooden began their do- 
mestic life in the Empire state, where they 
remained for two years, and in 1864 became 
residents of Illinois, while the year 1866 
witnessed their arrival in Calhoun county, 
Iowa. In May they reached their destina- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



507 



tion and Mr. Wooden secured from the gov- 
ernment a homestead claim, upon which he 
vet resides. The journey across the coun- 
try was made in prairie schooners, to which 
were attached two yoke of oxen. The near- 
est trading-post was Fort Dodge, and the 
harren prairies stretched for miles away, 
covered only with the native grasses. For 
about four years Mr. Wooden lived in a sod 
house in the primitive manner of the times, 
but in 1870 erected a residence, which he 
still occupies. He experienced all the hard- 
ships and trials that must be experienced in 
the establishment of a home upon the fron- 
tier. He suffered' discouraganents and dif- 
ficulties in his business, but eventually over- 
came these by determined effort and strong 
purpose, and is now the owner of a valuable 
projjerty, which yields to him a good in- 
come. In the year 1863 there were but sev- 
enteen voters in the county, so that it is seen 
that he was among the earliest settlers, for 
only three years had elapsed before he took 
up his abode in this section of Iowa. In 
1890 Mr. Wooden was called upon to mourn 
the loss of his wife, who died on the 29th 
of April and was buried in Rose Hill ceme- 
tery in Manson. She was long a faithful 
companion and helpmate on life's journey 
to him and her loss is deeply felt. Mr. 
Wooden has supported the Republican party 
since its organization and' has served as 
school director, but has left office seeking to 
others, preferring to give his time and atten- 
tion to his farming pur.suits. As the years 
have passed his capital has been gradually 
increased, through the sale of crops which 
have been the results of his own labor, and 
his example proves conclusively that success 
is not a matter of genius, but is the reward 
of diligence and enterprise. 



CYRUS A. WHITTLESEY. 

Prominent among the energetic, far-see- 
ing and successful business men of Calhoun 
county is C. A. Whittlesey, of Manson. His 
life most happil}' illustrates what may be at- 
tained by faithful and continued effort in 
carrying out an honest purpose. Integrity, 
activity and energy have been the crowning 
points of his success, and his connection 
with various business enterprises have been 
of decided advantage to this portion of the 
state, promoting its material welfare in no 
uncertain manner. 

Mr. \\'hittlesey is a native of Winnebago 
county, Illinois, born on the i8th of Sep- 
tember, 1850. His father, Eliphalet Whit- 
tlesey, who was born in Vermont in 18 16, 
is still living at the age of eighty-six years. 
In She common schools of his native state 
our subject mastered the usual branches of 
learning taught in such institutions and af- 
terward pursued a course in a business col- 
lege in Rockford. He has devoted much of 
his life to farming and stock-raising, al- 
though other business pursuits have also 
claimed his attention and led to his success. 
In 1872 he was married and came to Cal- 
houn county, where he has since been identi- 
fied with agricultural interests. His fields are 
well cultivated and in the purchase and sale 
of stock he manifests sound judgment and 
shows himself to be an e.xcellent judge of 
stock. He has also dealt quite extensively 
in real estate and is well informed concern- 
ing realty values throughout this portion of 
tlie country. He is now representing the 
Horton & Whittlesey Land Agency, d-ealing 
in Iowa lands and also in property in central 
and southern Minnesota, and v.-ith ^Ir. Hor- 
ton engaged in the 1i\cry Inisiness. What- 



5o8 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ever he undertakes he carries forward 
to successful completion, deterred by no ob- 
stacle or difficulty that can be overcome by 
determined and honorable effort. 

In his political views ]\Ir. Whittlesey is 
a Republican and has held all the local of- 
fices, so capably serving thai he has been 
called to one position after another. Xo 
man in the community is more widely or fa- 
vorably known. In his fraternal relations 
he is a Knight of Pythias and for many 
years he has been a deacon in the Congrega- 
tional church. He has resided in Calhoun 
county since 1869, and well may lie be hon- 
ored as a worthy pioneer whose efforts have 
been of material assistance in promoting pub- 
lic progress and improvement. He uniform- 
ly bears himself as a gentleman, is respected 
for his probity and integrity in business af- 
fairs, and in pri\-ate life he has gained that 
warm regard which arises from kindliness, 
geniality, true nobility of character and def- 
erence for the opinions of others. 



J. FRANK WILSON. 

Among the representative citizens of 
Twnn Lakes township none are more deser^'- 
ing of mention in this volume than the gen- 
tleman whose name introduces this sketch. 
Since 1887 he has been connected with the 
agricultural interests of Calhoun county, and 
through his well directed efforts has gained 
a comfortable competence that numbers 
him among the substantial citizens of his 
community. Keen discrimination, unflag- 
ging industry and resolute purpose are num- 
bered among his salient characteristics, and 
thus he has won a prosperity wliich is the 
merited reward of honest effort. 



A native of Iowa, Mr. Wilson was born 
in Story county, April 6, 1859, and is a son 
of William and Martha (Wharton) Wilson. 
The father was born in Barnesville, Ohio, 
in July, 1828, while the mother's birth oc- 
curred near Indianaixtlis, Indiana. Her 
father, George Wharton, a farmer by occu- 
pation, came to Iowa in 1855 and settled in 
Polk county, where he spent the remainder 
of his life. During his younger years Will- 
iam Wilson followed the cabinetmaker's 
trade, but after coming to this state, in 1854. 
devoted his time and attention principally to 
agricultural pursuits. For two years he 
made his home in Linn county, and then re- 
moved to Story county, where he continued 
to reside up to the time of his death. He 
was an earnest and consistent Christian, a 
member of the ^Methodist Episcopal church, 
and was a Democrat in politics. His wid- 
ow now resides in Des Moines. In their 
family were eleven children, namely : George 
J., Frank, Thomas, Sarah, Amanda, Graf- 
ton, Edward, Charles. Lilly M., and Osborn, 
who died aged twenty-one years, and Will- 
iam, who 'died in infancy. 

In the county of his nativity Mr. Wilson 
of this revicAv grew to manhood upon a 
farm, early becoming "familiar with all the 
duties which fall to the lot of the agricultur- 
ist. His primary education was received in 
the local schools and he was later a student 
at Ames College for two years. In the 
meantime he taught school through the win- 
ter months, and continued to follow that oc- 
cupation for some time with marked suc- 
cess. Coming to Calhoun county in 1887 
he bought one hundred and sixty acres of 
land' in Twin Lakes township, and has since 
added to it. so that he now has a fine farm 
of two hundred and thirtv-two acres, which 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



509 



he lias placed under a high state of cultiva- 
tion. He has made all of the improvements 
upon the place and to-day has a well ordered 
and valuable farm. He raises from forty 
to sixty-five acres of corn and from thirty- 
five to forty acres of small grain, while the 
remainder of his farm is meadow and pas- 
ture land. He keeps thirty-eight head of 
cattle, making a specialty of full-blooded 
Durhams, and owns a registered bull. He 
also raises horses and hogs. 

On the ist of September, 1887, Mr. Wil- 
son was united in marriage with JMiss Hattie 
Donaker, who was born in Iowa county, this 
state, July 17, 1863, a daughter of J. and 
Margaret (Hardesty) Donaker. Three 
children bless this union, their names and 
dates of birth being as follows : Earl D., 
May 21, 1888; Foster W., June 17, 1890; 
and Helen, October 29, 1894. 

In political sentiment Mr. \\'ilson is a 
Democrat, and as a public-spirited and enter- 
prising man he takes an active interest in 
public affairs, especially along the line of 
education. He is now serving most ef- 
ficiently as president of the school board, 
which office he has filled for the past six 
years. Religiously he is a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal church, and is a man 
highly resi^ected and esteemed by all who 

known him. 

■» » » 

HENRY V. STEINBERG. 

Henry V. Steinberg was born in Hessen 
Nassau, Germany, February 24, 1873, and 
is a son of Henry and Anna M. (Stocker) 
Steinberg. The father's birth occurred in 
1843, and for three years he served his coun- 
try as a soldier in the German army. He 
became a railroad engineer and throughout 



his business career has been thus employed. 
He now resides in Bebra, Hessen-Nassau, 
Germany, but his wife passed away, her 
death having occurred when our subject was 
a little lad of five years. In the family were 
four children : William, who is a railway 
engineer, is now living in Instorburg, in the 
east of Russia. Previous to entering the 
railroad service he was in the marine corps 
for two years. Henry V. is the subject of 
this review. Martin served for two years 
in the German army and is now a baker of 
Kassel, Germany. Amelia, who was born 
February 28, 1884, resides at home with her 
father. 

In the schools of Bebra, Germany, Hen- 
ry V. Steinberg continued his education un- 
til thirteen years of age. It was in the fall 
of 1886 that he bade adieu to friends and 
fatherland and sailed for America, taking up 
his abode in Livingston county, Illinois, 
where he worked on a farm belonging to 
his uncle, Adam Steinberg. He was there 
employed for seven years, and in the spring 
of 1894 he began farming on his own ac- 
count, renting a tract of land in Ford coun- 
ty, Illinois, which he operated for two years. 
In the spring of 1896 he rented a farm in 
Livingston county, that state, and made his 
home thereon for four years. In the spring 
of 1900 he came to Calhoun count}- ami here 
purchased two hundred and forty acres of 
land in Sherman township. The place com- 
prises one hundred and sixty acres of the 
south half of section 3 and the west eighty 
acres of the southwest quarter of section 2. 
In addition to general farming he is mak- 
ing a specialty of stock-raising, particularly 
Aberdeen and polled Angus cattle. He also 
raises and deals in Duroc Jersey hogs and in 
this branch of his business he is meeting 



510 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



with creditable success. He has good build- 
ings upon his farm and everything is neat 
and thrifty in appearance, indicating his 
careful supervision. In 1893 Mr. Steinberg 
had purchased a quarter section of land in 
Martin county, IVIinnesota. He spent a few 
months on that farm during that year and 
also was a resident of Iowa for a few months 
at that time but did not permanently locate- 
here until 1900. 

On the 6th of March. 1894. in Living- 
ston county. Illinois, Mr. Steinberg was 
united in marriage to Nancy K. Knauer. 
who was born in that county March 6. 1872, 
and is a daughter of Frank and Annie 
(Schroen) Knauer. Her father was born in 
Saxony. Germany, and her mother is a na- 
tive of the pro\ince of Hessen-Xassau. 
They now reside in Livingston county. Illi- 
nois, where they are engaged in agricultural 
pursuits. In their family were eight chil- 
dren, namely : Elizabeth, the wife of Joseph 
Kuntz, of Livingston, Illinois : Charles and 
Bruno, both deceased; Mrs. Steinberg: and 
Augusta, Katie. Herman and Minnie, all 
living at home with their parents. 

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Stein- 
berg has been blessed with two children, 
Margaret, who was born June 10, 1896, and 
Augusta Amelia, born September 25. 1898. 
In his political views our subject is a Repub- 
lican. He keeps well informed on the issues 
of the day but does not seek office. Socially 
he is connected with the Modern Woodmen 
of America. He has had no occasion to re- 
gret the fact that he left the little German 
home across the sea to seek his fortune in the 
land of the free. Here, improving his op- 
portunities, he has advanced steadily and 
has gained a good property which is the 
merited reward of earnest and honest 
labor. 



W. L. THOMPSON. 

The life history of W. L. Thompson, if 
written in detail would form a story of more 
thrilling interest than any tale of fiction. His 
experiences have been varied, interesting and 
eventful. He has not only traveled widely 
in this country, but has visited many foreign 
ports, has encountered the horrors of war, 
and in business life has demonstrated the 
p>ower of close application and unremitting 
diligence. Such in brief is the history of 
one who is now numbered among the val- 
ued and representative men of Calhoun coun- 
ty. He was associated with legal interests 
in IManson for a number of years but is now 
living retired in this city. 

Mr. Thompson is a native of Livingston 
county, Xew York, Ixirn September 25. 1834. 
The family name originated in England and 
its first representative in America crossed 
the Atlantic from Yorkshire. England, tak- 
ing up his abode in Salem, Massachusetts, in 
June. 1630. In the French and Indian war 
Colonel Richard Thompson manifested 
marked bravery and in 1757 he was killed at 
the battle of Fort Edward on the Hudson 
river by Baron Disco and his followers. 
Twenty years later members of the family 
espoused the cause of the colonies and fought 
for the independence of the nation, while 
the Rev. Sej-mour Thompson, the father of 
our subject, was a valiant soldier of the war 
of 1812, being stationed on the Niagara 
frontier in 1813. Three br(^thers of our 
subject served with honor in the Civil war 
and thus the military record of the family is 
one of which they ha\e every reason to be 
proud. \\'ith no taint of cowardice but with 
marked valor and loyalty, the Thompsons 
have served their country in all the important 
wars in which the aid of loyal sons have 
been solicited. 




W. L. THOMPSON. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



513 



The Rev. Seymour Thompson was born 
in Oneida county. Xew York. September 7. 
1798. and devoted much of his life to the 
work of the Presbyterian ministry. He was 
a graduate of the theological seminary of 
Auburn, New York, and while residing in 
the east served as pastor of the church in 
Springwater Valley. Livingston county, 
Xew York; in Livonia. Genesee county; and 
in Utica, New York. He was married in 
Rochester, New York. February 12, 1831, 
to Miss Betsey McKee, a native of Jefferson 
county, Xew York, born November 4. 1802. 
He came to- the west under the auspices of 
the Home Missionary Society, arriving in 
LaSalle coainty, Illinois, June 16. 1837. ■^^' 
ter a year there passed he removed to Bee- 
bee's Grove, south of Chicago, where he 
remained for three years. He then entered 
eighty acres of land from the go\ernment, 
twenty-five miles south of Chicago, and in 
connection with its improvement he car- 
ried on his ministerial work, residing on his 
farm, however, until May, 1856. In that 
year he brought his family to Iowa, settling 
in Fayette coimty, near W'aukoma, but on 
the 18th of October, of the same year, he 
■was burned to death in a prairie fire, together 
with his youngest son, Charles A. Thomp- 
son, then a lad <yi eight years. The family 
afterward returned to Ogle county. Illinois, 
settling on the Rock river, Mrs. Thompson 
having relatives in that locality. She had 
been a school teacher in her early days and 
was most successful in that branch of work. 
Ixith she and her husband l>eing people of su- 
perior inltellectual attainments. Later Mrs. 
Thompson returned with her family to Fay- 
ette county, Icnva, but died at the home of 
her son, J. C. Thompson, in Forreston, Illi- 
nois, in March, 1885, when eighty-three 
years of age. She was a very faithful and 
consistent meml^er of the Presbvterian 



church and took an active interest in its 
work. Rev. Thompson had l>een a Whig in 
his political views but refused to vote for 
General Taylor because he was opposed to 
an army officer occupying the executive 
chair. In ante helium days his home was a 
station on the underground railroad, where- 
by many a slave made his way to Canada, 
there to enjoy liberty. 

Unto Rev. Thompson and his wife were 
born six children: James C, who was a 
business man at Forreston, Illinois, died in 
October, 1886. He wedded Mary E. Baker, 
of Ogle ctxinty, Illinois, who is now living 
with her married daughter, Mrs. M. M. 
Thygesen, whose husband is a leading at- 
torney of St. Paiil, Minnesota. W. L. is the 
ne.xt of the family. Francis E. married 
Lydia Andrews and engaged in the real es- 
tate business in Texas, Kansas and Nebras- 
ka, making his home in Kansas City, Mis- 
souri, where he died in November, 1892. He 
hatl l)een a soldier in the Civil war. His 
widow now resides in Independence, Iowa. 
Seymour D. married Lucy Ennison and they 
now reside at No. 66 Montague street. 
Brooklyn, New York. He is one of the 
distinguished lawyers of the country and 
is the author of sixteen different law books. 
For twelve years he was presiding judge in 
St. Louis courts, and is now engaged in 
writing his third work on contracts. Char- 
lotte Jeanette, the fifth member of the family, 
became the wife of G«orge H. Richardson 
and died at a sanitarium at Hudson, Wis- 
consin, in January. 1898. her remains being 
interred in Belmont, Iowa. Her husband is 
now living in Belmont, where he is presi- 
dent of the Iowa Valley Bank. Charles A., 
the yoinigest of the family, was burned in 
the prairie fire with his father. 

We now take u]) the personal history of 
W. T.. Thonipsim, who is so widch- known 



514 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



in this section of Iowa that he needs no 
special introdnotion to tlie readers of this 
volume. He attended school only ten months 
in his life but travel, experience, observa- 
tion and reading have made him a well in- 
formed man of more than ordinar}- intelli- 
gence. In his early }-outh he worked at 
home and after his father had apprenticed 
him to a harness-maker, he ran away and 
shipped at New Bedford, Massachusetts, on 
the Silver \Va\e, a whaling vessel which was 
boimd for Baffins bay and Davis strait, aiid 
along the northern whaling-ground. Mr. 
Thompson was then only fourteen years of 
age. He sen-ed as ship's boy for eight 
months on that cruise and afterward went as 
an ordinary sailor on the Highland Mary, of 
Nantucket, the vessel being bound for the 
Pacific coast. It proceeded as far as Behr- 
ing straits and then returned, reaching Cali- 
fornia at the time of the great gold excite- 
ment there. Nearly all of the sailors de- 
serted in order tO' go to the gold fields, but 
Mr. Thompson remained with the ship, of 
which he was second mate, and with her 
rounded Cape Horn, On reaching Boston 
he was discharged aiid returned tO' his fam- 
ily with nine hundred dollars in his pocket as 
his share of the whaling voj-age. He visited 
many foreign ports and his tales of the peo- 
ple, the scenery in foreign countries, and of 
dififerent experiences of his travels would 
make a very entertaining and attractive vol- 
ume. 

In 1 85 1 Mr. Thompson decideil to seek 
his fortune on the Pacific coast and made an 
overland journey to California, crossing the 
alkali deserts in a prairie schooner and there 
traveled mile after mile through sage brush 
and at night heard the barking of thecoyotes. 
The Indians stamjieded their horses and they 
were compelled tO' burn their wagons. They 
then walked four lunulred miles to Placer- 



ville, California, which was then in the heart 
of the mining region. It was a hazardous 
and perilous journev', but the indomitable 
pluck and energy- of Mr. Thompson and his 
companions enabled them to reach their des- 
tination. In December, 1853, Mr. Thomp- 
son left California. He had been meeting 
with a desirable measure of success, but at 
tliat time Walker's filabustering expedition 
was started and on the 8th of Januan,-, 1854, 
at \'irgin bay. Nicaragua, he enlisted with 
the filabusters, remaining with them for elev- 
en months, or until they began interfering 
with the United States trafific, at which time 
there were only si.x hundred left out of si.x 
thousand. Some had deserted, others had 
died of the Nicaragua fever, and some had 
been killed by natives. The remaining si.x 
hundred were taken by Commander Sumner 
on board the St. I\Iary sloop of war, carrying 
twenty guns, and were thus sent to New 
Orleans. In view of the fact that he had 
been a part of the filibustering expedition 
as first lieutenant, and being afraid of arrest, 
Mr. Thompson signed shipping papers on 
the vessel as a regular seaman of the sloop 
St. Mary and was then transferred to the 
Gulf squadron, being assigned to the United 
States frigate Savannah, which carried sev- 
enty-two guns and was a part oi the South 
Atlantic squadron. Mr. Thompson was 
luade master at arms on that vessel. Later 
he was transferred at Fort Fayal, Azore Isl- 
ands, to the United States frigate Delaware, 
which carried sixty-four gims and was at- 
tached to the Mediterranean squadron. There 
he remained one year and when the war ship 
was ordered back to Baltimore, he was dis- 
charged. He afterward made several cruises 
in the West India merchant marine vessels 
and went on se\-eral voyages on boats en- 
gaged in the coffee trade. He remained for a 
year and a half in the merchant marine serv- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



515 



ice. on the expiration of which period he 
returned to Illinois. On the solicitation of 
his eldest brother, Mr. Thompson became 
a student in Rock River Seminar}' in 1S58 
and devoted his time to study and to teach- 
ing schoi^l until i860. He afterward took 
care of his younger brotlier and sister, giv- 
ing them excellent educational advantages, 
which they improved. 

On the JOth of September, i860, in By- 
ron, Illinois, Mr. Thompson was united in 
marriage to Miss Mary Xighswander, who 
was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, 
April 16, 1837, and was a daughter of Abra- 
ham and Mary (Hufford) Xighswander, who 
were also natives of the Keystone state and 
were married in Franklin county. There the 
father engaged in the milling business, own- 
ing three large mills. He was a member of 
the Dunkard church and died in 1844, his 
wife surviving until 1855. They were tlie 
parents of five children: Emanuel, Cassan- 
der, Abraham, Mary and Elizabeth. 

After his marriage Mr. Thompson en- 
gaged in teaching, surveying and in civil en- 
gineering. He also learned the mason's 
trade and did contracting in that line until 
May 24, 1 861, when aroused by the at- 
tempt of the south to overthrow the Union, 
he enlisted in Forreston, Illinois, becoming 
a member of Company H, Fifteenth Illinois 
Infantry, under command of Captain Mor- 
ton D. Swift of Polo, and Colonel Thomas J. 
Turner, of Freeport. Illinois. The regiment 
was assigned tO' the command of General 
Stephen A. Hurlburt and did gaieral scout- 
ing work and guard duty in Missouri. In 
February'. 1862, the command was consoli- 
dated with other regiments and fonned the 
Second Brigade of the Fourth Division un- 
der General Hurlburt, proceeding down the 
Mississippi, Ohio and Tennessee rivers, but 
arriving too late to take part in the battles 



of Fort Donelsoii and Fort Henry. How- 
ever, Mr. Thompson, with his regiment, took 
part in the battle of Shiloh, reaching Pitts- 
burg Landing March 26, 1862. The Sec- 
ond Battalion was there captured and his 
regiment lost o\er two hundred and fifty men 
in killed and wounded. He was then put 
on a hospital boat, having some knowledge 
in medicine and surgery, and there remained 
until the latter part O'f May, 1862, when he 
rejoined his command and took part in the 
evacuation of Corinth. Following the for- 
tunes of his regiment he proceeded through 
Kentucky and Tennessee and on to Jack- 
son, taking part in a number of small battles 
and skinnishes. At Hatches Bridge the reg- 
iment was badly cut up and later proceed- 
ed to Alemphis, going into winter quarters 
there. The next spring the Fifteenth TIU- 
no'is joined the operation upon Yicksburg, 
and on the 3d of May, 1863, was present at 
the opening of the engagement there and 
participated in the siege until the surrender 
of the city, July 4, 1863. The engagements 
were extremely sanguine between May and 
the date of surrender and in all Mr. Thomp- 
son participated. When the city had capit- 
ulated he took and passed an examination for 
promotion and was appointed captain of 
Company A, Seventh United States Regi- 
ment of colored troops. He was in the dis- 
astrous fight of Milliken's Bend, in Louisi- 
ana, entering the engagement with seventy- 
six men and leaving it with only sixteen be- 
sides himself. Thinking that the negro sol- 
diers were not fairly treated, he resigned his 
office aaid came home. 

In the winter of 1863-4 Captain Thomi>- 
son engaged in teaching school in Frog Hol- 
low, on Mud creek, in Ogle county, where 
his wife and child were then living, but he 
could not crush out his patriotic spirit and 
on the loth of May, 1864, he again enlisted, 



5i6 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



becoming a member of Company D, One 
Hundred and Fortj'-second Illinois Infan- 
try under Colonel R. V. Ankling. He en- 
listed in Forreston. Illinois, and was ordered 
to Memphis, Tennessee, to perform guard 
dut}-, but inactive service did not suit him 
and on the igth of June, 1864. at his own re- 
quest, he was detached and passed an exam- 
ination for lieutenant of engineers, but only 
received a commission as first duty sergeant 
in the United States regular army, as only 
West Point graduates could hold commis- 
sions. He was then assigned to Cdupany 
B, Third United States Engineers and 
joined the forces operating around Atlanta. 
Subsequently he marched from Memphis, 
Tennessee, and took part in all of the At- 
lanta campaigfn. He was in the signal corps 
with the United States engineers with Lieu- 
tenant A. B. Allen, and at Knoxville. Ten- 
nessee. He was woimded in the right hip 
by a minie ball, July 24. 1864, in a heavy 
skinuish, which occurred si.x miles north- 
west of .\tlanta. He dug the ball out with 
his knife and kept on in his position. He 
was mounted and rode with his command, 
entering the battle of Atlanta on the 28th 
of August, 1864, on which day he was again 
wounded, this time in the ankle, while wheel- 
ing into line preparaton,- to a cavalry charge. 
Shortly after the evacuation of .-Xtlanta, the 
army was consolidated under General Sher- 
man for the march to the sea and ISIr. 
Thompson was ordered to join General 
Thomas, and marched back to Nash\'ille. 
He was assigned to dispatch dutj' and was 
bearing a dispatch to General Wood when 
his horse fell and he received a bad rupture. 
He participated in the battle of Nashville on 
the 1 6th and 17th of December. 1864, and 
while there he received orders to report to 
the St. Louis arsenal to aid in balancing a 



set of ordnance books, which he had kept at 
the siege of \'icksburg. He reached the 
arsenal on the 23d of December, straight- 
ened out the Ixioks and remained in the ar- 
senal as clerk and bookkeeper until February 
18, 1865, when' he demanded his discharge as 
his time of service had expired. Thus ended 
his military career. 

Mr. Thompson then returned to his wife 
and family in Forreston, Illinois, and soon 
afterward began fanning on his land near 
Brookville, Ogle county, where he remained 
for two years, when he sold this property 
and removed to Lanark, Carroll county, Illi- 
nois, which was his place of residence until 
1882. He was engaged in teaching school 
and also worked at the mason's trade. While 
residing in Lanark, his wife died on the 23d 
of March, 1876, and on the 31st of August, 
1878, he was again married, his second union 
being with Frances M. Dunlap, the wedding 
being celebrated by the Rew D. B. Schultz. 
the Lutheran minister. The lady was born 
in Chittaiden county, Vermont, April 28, 
1844, and was a daughter of Thaddeus E. 
and Parmelia (Slater) Dunlap, the former 
a native of Massachusetts and the latter of 
Connecticut. They were married in the Char- 
ter Oak state and the father engaged in 
farming there. Subsequently thej- removed 
to Chittenden county. Vennont. where he 
engaged in agricultural pursuits and in 
handling dairy products, becoming quite 
wealthy as a result of his well directed ef- 
forts. He died in 1878 and his wife passed 
away in 1888. The>- were the parents of 
four children. Edgar resides on the old 
homestead farm in Vermont. Marcus was 
married at Plainfield, Bremer county, Iowa, 
to Mrs. Ellen (Pike) Cummings, who is 
now deceased. He resides at Ada, Norman 
county, Minnesota, and is engaged in the 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



517 



l)anking business. Mrs. Thompson is the 
next younger. Loren married Jennie Slater 
and hves in Chittenden county. Vermont. 

By his first marriage Mr. Tliompson has 
five children. Addie E. married Freder- 
ick Pratt, and became the mother of three 
cliiitlren, Lenora, Olive and Mary B. Both 
parents are now deceasetl, Mrs. Pratt pass- 
ing away December 20, 1890, while her hus- 
band died at Nodaway Mission, in August. 
1892. Frank and Monroe, the two next 
}-oiuiger in the family, both died in child- 
hcNDd. W'iHiam Sherman, the ne.s:t member 
of the family, resides at Fort Dodge, and is 
an expert mining engineer with the Fort 
Dodge Stoneware Company, with which he 
has been connected for five years. He is a 
member of the Masonic fraternity, and also 
belongs to the Knights of Pythias Lodge and 
to the Independenit Order of Odd Fellows, 
and also holds membership with the Sons of 
Veterans. Estella W. is the wife of C. W. 
Bays, a resident of Persia, Harrison county, 
Iowa, where he is engaged in teaching 
school. He is also the editor of the Persia 
Globe. Three children have been born to 
Mr. and Mrs. Bays, Leon, Elfie and Eft'.e. 
Unto Mr. Thompson and his second wife 
was lioni one son, E^rl G., who was born on 
the i8th of August, 1880, and is now en- 
gaged in farming. 

Mr. Thompson remained a resident of 
Lanark, Illinois, until March 28, 1882, when 
he disposed of his property and business in- 
terests there and came to Calhoun county, 
locating in Manson. He was engaged in 
farming for one year and afterward worked 
at his trade for two years. He was tl-.en 
elect e<l city clerk in 1885 and held the office 
for five years, after which he became prose- 
cuting pension attorney. He was also in 
the employ of the Buena Vista Creamery 
C(im])any. In 1887 he was elected surveyor 



of Calhoun county and in 1888 he was 
chosen township clerk of Lincoln township, 
in which position he yet serves. In 1855 
he had been a United States .surveyor, run- 
ning township lines in Clay and 0"Brien 
counties, Iowa. Politically he is connected 
with the Republican party and is a member 
of the Grand Army of the Republic. His 
wife belongs to the Universalist church, and 
though he is not a member of any daiomina- 
tion, he contributes liberally to all and has 
high regard for every movement an4 meas- 
ure that tends to advance morality. Such 
in brief is the historj- of his eventful and 
interesting career. In the school of expe- 
rience he has learned many valuable lessons 
and gainal knowledge that has made him a 
well informed man. He can relate many in- 
teresting incidents of his travels, his voyages 
and his military service and is an entertain- 
ing and companionable gentleman. All who 
know him delight in his friendship and he 
is a very popular and honored citizen of Cal- 
houn county. 



W. H. BROWN. 



Professor \V. H. Brown, who is prin- 
cipal of the high school of Lake City, has 
devoted his entire time and attention to edu- 
cational work since attaining to man's es- 
tate and his ability in the line of his profes- 
sion is most marked, gaining him high rank 
among the successful educators of this part 
of the state. He is numbered among Iowa's 
native sons, his birth occurring in Black 
Hawk county, Marcii 24, 1861. His fa- 
ther, Homer Brown, was born in Kilkenny, 
county Armagh, Ireland, in 1821. and in 
1834, when thirteen years of age accom- 



5i8 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



panied his parents on their emigration to the 
ne-vv world. In 1849 tlie father of our sub- 
ject sought a home in the ^lississippi valley, 
settling in DeKalb county, Illinois. At that 
time their were only thirteen houses in Chi- 
cago and many districts of the state were 
still largely unimproved. Mr. Brown fol- 
lowed farming in DeKalb county until 1852, 
when he removed to Black Hawk county, 
Iowa, casting in his lot with its early set- 
tlers and there living in the primitive man- 
ner of the frontier. He covered his first log 
house with sod and secured his claim 
through pre-empting government land, 
which he transformed into a very valuable 
tract, the rich fields yielding to him a golden 
tribute. For six years Mr. Brown resided in 
Mount Vernon, Iowa, and in La Porte City, 
Iowa, in order to educate his children, but 
spent the remainder of the time in this state 
until his death, which occurred April 14, 
189 1. After coming to this country he had 
married Jane Gray, whose death occurred on 
the same date, when she was seventy years 
of age. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Brown were 
born seven sons and three daughters : 
Thomas, a farmer of Oklahoma; George, a 
grain buyer of Rudd, lov.-a; Eliza1>eth, de- 
ceased wife of Henry Kellas, her death oc- 
curring in Kansas ; Maria, now Airs. Mc- 
Fadden, of LaPorte City, Iowa ; James, who 
died at the age of forty-eight years : John, 
a fanner of Primghar, Iowa ; Mary A., the 
wife of J. M. McOuilkin, of LaPorte City; 
Robert, a liveryman of that place; W. H., 
of this re\' iew ; and F. E., a practicing phy- 
sician of Sanborn, Iowa. 

In the public schools of his native county 
Professor Brown acquired his early educa- 
tion and later matriculated in Cornell Col- 
lege, in which he was graduated with the 



class of 1885, on the completion of a course 
in ci\il engineering. When eighteen years 
of age he began teaching and has since fol- 
lowed that profession through each winter 
season with the exception of the winter 
spent in college. He first had charge of a 
school in Benton county before he was eight- 
een years of age and he early demonstrated 
his ability in this line. After his graduation 
he was elected principal of the schools of 
Shell Rock, Iowa, where he remained until 
1887, after which he was principal at Dy- 
sart, Iowa, for three years. On the e.xpira- 
tion of that period he was principal of the 
collegiate institute in Waterloo, Iowa, un- 
til 1893 after which he spent one year in 
traveling. Subsequently he was for one 
year principal of the schools of Paullina, 
Iowa, and of the Wesley schools for two 
years, and in 1897 he came to Lake City, 
Iowa, to accept the superintendency of the 
schools of this place. He is an excellent dis- 
ciplinarian and he has the ability of impart- 
ing clearly and readily to others the knowl- 
edge he has acquired' and of inspiring teach- 
ers and pupils with his own zeal and interest 
in the work. ■ He gives good satisfaction 
wherever employed and his work is of a na- 
ture to produce practical results and rapid 
advancement. 

Professor Brown was married in Lis- 
bon, Iowa. July 25, 1885. to Miss Jeanette 
Kenderdine, who was- born in Lisbon, and 
who by her marriage has become the mother 
of two children; Ralph W., born June 24, 
1886; and Alma Lucile. born July 25, 1S91. 
In his fraternal relation Mr. Brown is a Ma- 
son, belonging to the lodge at Waterloo, 
Iowa. He also has membership relations 
with Yeoman Lodge, of Lake City; the I. 
O. O. F., of Weslev ; the Roval .Arcanum, at 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



5>9 



Waterloo ; ami the Modern \Voodmen 
Camp, at Wesley, Iowa. He belongs to 
the Alethodist Episcopal church and his 
life is consistent with its principles. His 
entire time and attention are de\'oted to 
such interests as tend to elevate human- 
it}' and promote the welfare of his fel- 
low men and his life record is therefore 
worthy of emulation. His nature is one that 
could never content itself with mediocrity 
and his course has been marked by progress 
to a foremost place among the educators of 
this county, and at the same time under his 
guidance the schools with which he has been 
connected have been materiallv advanced. 



AUGUST BRAND. 



The pioneer experiences of Calhoun 
county became famSliar to August Brand 
during the period of his early residence here. 
From that time to the present he has watched 
with interest the development and upbuild- 
ing of the county and his laljors have not 
been without effect in promoting its improve- 
ment. He was torn in Ditmold, Prussia, 
on the 1 8th of May, 1828. His father was a 
stone-mason in Germany and both he and 
bis wife died in that country, the former 
serving in Napoleon"s army during the cam- 
paign of 181 2. During his youth August 
Brand worked upon his father's farm and 
assisted in its cultivation until he came to 
America. His education was acquired in 
the schools of his native land and after he 
had piu aside his te.xt-hnoks be operated a 
farm of forty acres until two years after bis 
marriage. That important event in bis life 
occurred in 1852, Miss Minnie Knierim be- 
coming his wife. She was born and edu- 



cated in Germany and has one sister who 
still resides in the fatherland, while Mrs. 
Peter Krause, another sister, is living in 
Illinois, and her brother, William, is now a 
resident of Calhoun county. 

Hearing favorable reports of the oppor- 
tunities to be enjoyed in the new world, 
August Brand resolved to seek his fortune 
beyond the Atlantic and in 1857 he crossed 
the ocean, making his way across the coun- 
try to Missouri. He established his home 
upon a tract of rented land, ninety miles 
west of St. Louis, and continued to reside 
there until 1866 when he came to Calhoun 
county, where he has since remained. The 
homestead claim which be here secured was 
his place of residence until 1892 and in the 
meantime he had extended the boundaries 
of his farm' by additional purchase until it 
comprised two hundred and forty acres. 
Ten years ago he sold this property and re- 
niioved to Manson, purchasing here three 
acres of land upon which he built a home in 
which he is now living retired', enjoving a 
well merited rest. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Brand have been 
born ten children, of wdiom three are now 
decea.sed. Those living are as follows : 
August, who married Miss Clara Julius, and 
resides in Greenfield town.ship: Henrv, who 
married Hettie Martha and lives in 
Greenfield- township; Fred, who married 
Miss Fulka Rankin, and is a resident of 
Manson: Rachel, the wife of Martin Vager, 
of Manson: Minnie, who married Jonas 
Stacey, of Greenfield township: Anna, the 
wife of Walter Rankin, a farmer residing 
near Manson: and Emma, who married 
James Fluhard, n\' Manson. The parents 
hold membership in the Lutheran church 
and in his political views Mr. Brand is a Re- 



520 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



publican. He has held several township 
offices, including that of school director in 
which capacity he served for fifteen years, 
the cause of education finding in him a 
warm friend. On arriving in Calhoun coun- 
ty he found that he must meet pioneer con- 
ditions, for the work of civilization was still 
in its primitive conditon here. He took up 
his abode in Greenfield township and at once 
set to work to transform the raw prairie into 
richly cultivated fields. Prices were very 
high ; he paid two dollars for wheat, twelve 
dollars per hundred for flour, one dollar per 
bushel for corn, and two dollars and a 
quarter per bushel for potatoes. In the early 
days he suffered from 'the grasshopper 
plague, those insects destroying evei-ything 
green that was raised. Many of the pioneers 
had little money and in order to live after 
this failure of crops, they killed muskrats, 
selling their skins for ten cents each. Dur- 
ing that dark period in the history of Cal- 
houn county, Mr. Brand worked for fifty 
cents per day in order to provide for his wife 
and children, but as the years passed and the 
financial prospect grew brighter, his labors 
brought good return and ultimately he be- 
came the possessor of a very handsome com- 
petence which now enables him to live re- 
tired. He has passed the seventy-third mile- 
stone on the journey of life and through all 
the years he has borne an untarnished name, 
his reputation in Inisiness circles being un- 
assailable. 



MATURIX M. READING. 

Maturin M. Reading is a representative 
of one of the most prominent pioneer 
families of Calhoun countv. The name is 



inseparably connected witii its history and 
one of the townships has been called in honor 
of the father of our subject. From a very 
early epoch in the development and improve- 
ment of this part of the state the Readings 
ha\'e been associated with the work of up- 
building and have been important factors in 
promoting public progress along many lines 
of general good. Maturin M. Reading is 
to-day a most enterprising and honored citi- 
zen, well deserving mention in this volume. 
He was born in Sycamore, DeKalb county, 
Illinois, December 22, 1852, his parents be- 
ing Charles H. and Eliza A. (Horning) 
Reading. The father was torn in Bucks 
county. Pennsylvania, February 20. 1S23. 
and the mother's birth occurred in Wyoming 
county, Xew York, Xovember 2;^. 1824. The 
family is of English lineage and was early 
established in Pennsylvania, while represen- 
tatives of fhe name attained positions of dis- 
tinction in connection with political affairs. 
One member was a territorial governor of 
New Jersey and many of the name still re- 
side in that state and in the Keystone state. 
William Henry Reading was one of the early 
settlers of Bucks county, Pennsylvania, and 
with its pioneer development was closely as- 
sociated. 

Charles H. Reading was a young man 
when he left Pennsylvania, being then but 
twenty years of age. He worked his way 
to Chicago, locating in the western metrop- 
olis when it was but a small village. A 
blacksmith l)y trade, he followed that 
pursuit in \arious places. After resid- 
ing in Ciiicago for a short time he se- 
cured employment with the Lake Superior 
Mining Company, and was in British Amer- 
ica for eight months. On the expiration of 
that period he returned to Chicago and sul>- 
sequently removed to Sycamore, Illinois, 




M. M. READING. 



^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^K^- ^ 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^L^ 


i 


i^^^^^^^^H 




f 


^H 


H 






H 


■JH^tiiiriti 


^^M^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^H 



MRS. M. M. READING. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



525 



where he resided for a number of years. He 
has traveled extensively, visiting many parts 
of the country, including the pine regions of 
New England and the vast mountain district 
of the far west. Mr. Reading was married, 
November 15, 1845, i" Sycamore, Illinois, 
and for twehe years maintained his resi- 
dence in that place, coming to Iowa in 1861. 
He located first in Jefferson, this state, hav- 
ing the year preious purchased the old home 
farm, where he remained for ten years, fol- 
following the blacksmith's trade and also en- 
gaged in merchandising. In 1870 he took up 
his abode upon his farm in Reading town- 
ship, Calhoun county, and being the first set- 
tier of the district the township was named 
in his honor. The nearest trading place was 
Jefferson and the town of Gowrie was found- 
ed that summer and Manson sprung up in 
the north. The traveler to-day seeing the 
thriving" villages and cities and the well kept 
farms can scarcely realize that one-third of 
a century ago this was almost entirely in its 
primitive condition. Deer were frequently 
killed within the borders of the county. 
Wolves made the nights hideous with their 
howling and wild fowls of all kinds were 
very numerous, many of them supplying the 
pioneers with meat. The crops were fre- 
quently destroyed by cranes, ducks and 
geese, so numerous were these Ijirds. 1 he 
old homestead farm comprises three hundred 
and sixty acres and the pioneer family resi- 
dence is still standing there. Charles H. 
Reading resided upon his claim until 187O, 
when he removed to Gowrie, where he main- 
tained his residence for about eighteen years. 
He now resides in Benton county, Arkansas^ 
and is living retired in the enjoyment of a 
well earned rest. His wife died while visit- 
ing the old homestead claim, in May, 1900. 
This worthy couple was widely known and 
hionorecl by the pioneer settlers. They were 

29 



the parents of two children, who are yet 
living — Edwin A., a resident of Benton 
county, .Arkansas, and Maturin M., of this 
review. The father served as mayor of 
Gowrie for a number of years, and during 
his administration the city made marked ad- 
vancement along many lines of improve- 
ments. He was also justice of the peace and 
ever discharged his duties with promptness 
and fidelity, winning the high commendation 
of all concerned. His political support is 
given to the Republican party, of which he 
has been an adherent since its organization. 
In religion he is a Baptist, and his life has 
ever been in harmony with his Christian 
principles. 

Maturin M. Reading came to Iowa when 
a young man and in the schools of Jeffer- 
son obtained his education. Throughout his 
life he has carried on agricultural pursuits, 
and he purchased the old homestead of which 
he has had charge since 1876. Many of the 
improvements which are found thereon to- 
day stand as monuments of his enterprise. 
He owns all together three hundred and six- 
ty acres of rich land and about one hundred 
acres is planted with small grain, while an 
equal amount is comprised within his pas- 
tures and meadow. He successfully carries 
on farming and stock-raising, keeping about 
eighty head of short-horn cattle of a high 
grade. 

On the 23rd of December, 1874. Mr. 
Reading was united in marriage to Miss Sa- 
rah F. Smith, wliii was born in Homer, New 
York, November 5, 1852, a daughter of 
Marvin W. and Hannah (Johnson) Smith, 
both of whom were natives of New' York, 
the father Ijorn September 2, 1819, and the 
mother March 15, 1822. Mr. Smith fol- 
lowed farming in his later years. In 1869 
he came to Iowa, settling near Jefferson, 
where he i)urcliasc<l a tract nf wild land. 



5^6 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and uixni tlie prairie tlevelojied a rich farm. 
His death occurred on his liomestead Oo- 
cemher 5. 1883. but liis widow still survives 
him. The}- had two children, the son be- 
ing George E.. who resided on the old farm 
place. Mr. Smith heloni^od to the Baptist 
church and his Christian faith was mani- 
fested in his lionorable life. The platform 
and principles of the Rqniblican party re- 
ceived his endorsement and to the party he 
ever gave his earnest suppvirt. although he 
never sought or desired office. Phe mar- 
riage of Mr. and Mrs. Reading has been 
blessed with four children : Ada M., who 
was born March u, 1S76, in Greene coun- 
ty, Iowa, is the wife of Wilbur Ferguson ; 
Maude I., born February u. 1878. is the 
wife of L. R. Fitz and has three children. 
Dale. Dean and Grace; Charles M.. born 
Xovaiiber 29. 1879. is now pursuing a 
course in electrical engineering in tlie Iowa 
State College: Henry \V.. born March jj, 
1887, completes the family. With the ex- 
ception of the eldest chiUl all were born on 
the old family homestead. 

Mr. Reading has held various offices to 
which he has been called by his fellow towns- 
men, who recognize his worth and ability. 
He has lieen school director, scFiool secre- 
tary and treasurer, and has filled the last 
named ptisition for twenty vears, while for 
thirty years he has been the director of the 
schools. The cause of education found in 
him a warm friend, and he di.->es all in his 
power to promote the efficiency of the in- 
struction received in his district, realizing 
how valuable is education as a preparation 
for life's work. He votes with the Repub- 
lican party and holds membership in the Odtl 
Fellows Lodge and in the Baptist church. 
He assisted in the organization of his town- 
ship and is to-day the oldest citizen residing 



within its borders. His life history, it given 
in detail, would practically be a review of 
the annals of the township, for he has been 
most closely associated with all its progress 
and improvements. He is a man of strong 
character, of marked individuality, and at all 
times has been loyal to trutli and justice. 



JOSFFH H. H.\KFR. 

Joseph H. Iiaker, a representative of the 
farming interests of Calhoun cimnty. re- 
sides on section 4. Sherman town.shii>. He 
is numbered among Iowa's native sons. Iiis 
birth having occurred in Keokuk countv on 
tlie loth of Xovember. 1870. His father, 
Peter Baker, was a German fanner of that 
county and was Ixtu in Germany, October 
7, i8^^Q. He married Miss Mary Piper, who 
also was a native of Germany, born October 
24. 1840, their wedding, however, being cel- 
ebrated in Keokuk county, Iowa. When a 
_vouth of fifteen the father bade adieu to his 
native laud and the home of iiis childhood 
and crossetl the .\tiautic to .\merica. His 
wife was a little maiden of only six summers 
when she was brought to the new workl and 
liecame a resident of the Hawkeye state. 
Mr. Baker has now passed away, his death 
having occurred on the ist of .\ugust, 1897. 
in the fifty-eighth year of his age, but Mrs. 
Baker is still living, her home being in Keo- 
kuk county. They were the jiarents of the 
following nameil children: Lena, the wife 
of Antony Aller, a resilient of WashingtiMi 
county, Iowa : John, who is living in this 
county: Mary and Mike, both deceased: Jo- 
seph H., of this review: Elizalieth, the wife 
of Stephen Yager, of Calhoun county ; Weu- 
dall. who is Ii\ins?' in Keokuk countv: Teres- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



527 



sa, the wife of Charles Berwen, of Calhoun 
county ; and Emma, the w ife of John Oling- 
er, of Keokuk county. 

In the district schools near his home Jo- 
seph Baker pursued his education and 
through the summer months he w/rked in 
the fields. He continued upon the home 
farm until twenty-three years of age, when 
he rented land and began farming on his 
own account. In 1895 he came to Calhoun 
county, taking up his abode up*jn a farm 
which he had purchased the year previous, 
and which comprises the s^Aitheast (|uarter 
of section four and forty acres of the north- 
east quarter of section four, Sherman town- 
ship, making in all two hundred acres of 
land. He has the entire place under cultiva- 
tion and has transformed it into a very valu- 
able tract. He has erected substantial build- 
ings and has added all modern equipments 
and accessories so that the place may now be 
classed among the model farms of the twen- 
tieth century in Calhoun county. 

On the 28th of November, 1893, Mr. 
Baker was united in marriage to Miss Mary 
Hammen of Keokuk county, Iowa. Her 
parents were Peter and Margaret ( Petgei:) 
Hammen. IxAh of whom were natives of 
Germany, the former Ixjrn December 17, 
1833, and the latter January 9, 1844. They 
were married on the 24th of January. 1865, 
and the same year sought a h^^me in the new 
world, taking up their abfjde in Iowa. Unto 
them were born six children, as follows : 
August, who is living in Calhoun county; 
Annie, deceased; \ick, also of this county; 
Susan, wife of Joseph Stein of Calhoun 
county ; Mary, the wife of our subject ; and 
Peter, who is living in this locality. Mrs. 
Baker was born August 19. 1875, in Kef>- 
kuk, and by her marriage has Ijecome the 
mother of four children : Oliver, Ixjrn Sep- 



tember 4, 1896; Ernest, Ixjrn July 18, 1897; 
Arnold, born April 11, 1899; and \'erona, 
born June 28, 1901. The parents and their 
children are meml^ers of St. Mary's Catholic 
church of Pomeroy and in his ixjlitical affil- 
iations Mr. Baker is a Democrat, but has 
never sought or desired office, preferring to 
rlevote his time and energies to his business 
afYairs, in which he is meeting with well de- 
served success, as a result of his inrlustry 
and well spent life. 



RICHARD BOTSFORD, M. D. 

Although one of the young members of 
the medical profession in Calhoun county, 
Dr. Botsford's ability does not .seem to be 
limited by his years and he has already at- 
tained a very high position in the ranks of 
the medical fraternities. He was born in 
Fort Dodge, Webster county, Iowa, June 
20, 1872, and is the son of A. X. and Mary 
(Scotts) Botsford. The father was a native 
of Connecticut and in the year 1868 came to 
Iowa, locating in Fort Dodge, where he is 
now engaged in the practice of law. He 
married Miss Scott, who was born on the 
steamer in which her parents were crossing 
the Atlantic from Scotland to the new world. 
During the Civil war the Doctor's father 
served as a quartermaster in the Union 
army. He is now a well known attorney at 
Fort Doflge and has a disfinctivelly repre- 
-sentative clientage. Geis, the only brother 
of our subject, is now city editor of the Des 
Moines Leafier, published at Des Moines, 
Iowa. 

In the public schrxjis of his native town 
the Doctor acquired his early education and 
at the age of seventeen he entererl the State 



528 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Military Institute in Burlington, \'ermont, 
where he was graduated with the class of 
June, 1894. Determining to make the prac- 
tice of medicine his life work, in the fall of 
that year he entered the State University of 
Vermont and was graduated in the medical 
department in July, 1898, with the degree 
of ■M. D. He then returned to his native 
state, where he oi>ened an office and engaged 
in practice until November, 1900. when de- 
siring to perfect himself in his chosen calling 
he returned to his alma mater and pursued 
the post-graduate course. On the 25th of 
April, 1 90 1, he came to Lake City, where he 
(.'pened an office. Little more than a year 
has passed and he has already gained a good 
clientage from among the l>est families of the 
city and surrounding district. From the 
1st of September, 1897, until January i, 
1898, he took clinical and ward work in 
the Cook County Hospital of Chicago and 
has broadened his knowledge of the prac- 
tical methods of treating diseases and of 
performing surgical operations. He has a 
wide and comprehensive knowledge of the 
science, which he is making his life work, 
and does everything in his power to advance 
in his profession and render his services 
more effective and valuable in the important 
task of restoring health. 

On the 15th of September, 1898, the 
Doctor was married tO' .Anna Goodsel, the 
daughter of E. R. Goodsell, of Burlington, 
Vermont. He is a well known contractor 
and niiw has charge of the breakwater on 
Lake Champlain. One child graced the mar- 
riage of the Doctor and his wife: Alary, 
who was Ixirn December 20, 1899, and is 
the life and light of the hoiisehold. Our 
subject is identified with the K. P. fraternity 
and with the Kniohts of the Maccabees antl 



in the line of his profession, he belongs to 
the Fort Dodge Medical Society. On the 
first of January, 1899, he was apix)inted city 
and county physician for the tenn of one 
year. He is yet a yoimg man and the future 
undoubtedly holds in store for him success, 
for he is ambitious, determined and capable. 



JOHN PYM BURROUGH. 

The history of John Pym Burrough, if 
written in detail, would read like a romance, 
so A'aried ha\-e been his experiences and so 
widely has he traveled. He has visited many 
sections of the globe and is familiar with 
the manners and customs of the peoples of 
the islands of the seas and of certain districts 
of Asia and Europe. He has also touched 
upon the .African shores and' has traveled 
quite widel}' over the North .\merican conti- 
nent as well as over Great Britain. He is one 
of England's native sons, his birth having 
occurred in Somersetshire, on the iith of 
May, 1858. He is a descendant of Sir Will- 
iam Pym, who was one of the distinguished 
generals of Cromwell's army. His father. 
John Burrough, was born in England in 
181 5, was a farmer by occupation and spent 
his entire life in his native land. He was 
accidentally killed by a horse, May 15, 1864. 
His wife, who bore the maiden name of 
Rachel Hill, was born in England about 
1 83 1, and is now living there in her eignty- 
first year. In their family were i.en c'nildren : 
Jane, now deceased ; William and James. 
who are living in England: Jennie, who has 
also passed away; Hannah, the wife of 
Harry Meaker, of England; Ellen, the wife 
of Walker White, of the "merrie isle:" 
John, of this review: Emily R.. the wife of 
John Keene, of Somersetshire, England : 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



529 



Edith Elizabeth, the wife of John Bonwell, 
of Tara, Webster county, Iowa, a stock- 
dealer and hotel proprietor; and Mrs. Har- 
riet Hooper, of England. 

John Pym Burroug-h pursued his early 
education in the public schools and after- 
ward attended the Western College, near 
Bath, Somersetshire, where he pursued a 
scientific course and was graduated in the 
class of 1873. Through the summer months 
he worked on the home farm and after his 
graduation he returned to the farm, where 
he remained until twenty-two years of age, 
when feeling his life hampered by the con- 
fines of the farm and wishing to see more of 
the world he left for London. From the 
metropolis he sailed for South Africa and 
spent three months in Cape Colony. Through 
the succeeding nine months he was in South 
Australia. He visited near the battlefield of 
Majuba Hill, where an engagement was 
fought between the British troops and the 
Boers. From South Australia ]\Ir. Bur- 
rough removed to Melbourne, in Victoria, 
but after two weeks spent in that city, went 
to Tasmania, remaining for twO' weeks in 
Huljertown. He ne.xt went to Xew Zealand, 
spending about four months in traveling all 
over the southern part of the island. Pro- 
ceeding to the Fiji islands, he there remained 
for about a month, after which he returned 
to Melbourne and traveled throughout the 
Victoria colony, taking in c\'er\' point of in- 
terest. Again going to South Australia he 
traveled for the Australian government for 
fourteen months and two weeks, visiting all 
sections from Xew South Wales to the coast. 

When that time had elapsed Mr. Bur- 
rough started for Egypt, but the ship on 
which he took passage caught fire in mid- 
ocean seven hundred and fifty miles from 
land. The captain asked for volunteers and 



everybody on board aided in throwing the 
cargo overboard and subduing the fire. The 
ship was then overhauled and they set sail 
for Arabia, proceeding thence to the Suez 
canal and on to Squakin on the frontier, 
where a militar_\- engagement took place. At 
this point they remained for about two 
weeks and I^Ir. Burrough saw man\- men 
shot at that point. The next point to which 
the troops proceeded was Tilikibi, where a 
battle was fought under the hill, after which 
the journey was resumed tO' Port Said, where 
our subject remained for two da}-s. .-\t 
Naples, Italy, he was quarantined because 
of cholera and lay right under Mount Vesu- 
vius. Proceeding to the Rock of Gibraltar 
and to Pl}-mouth, England, Mr. Burrough 
continued on his way to his old home, where 
he remained for about two months. 

Again setting out upon his travels about 
1885, Mr. Burrough went to Bristol, thence 
to Glasgow and on to Derbyshire. Berkshire 
and Liver]XJol, where he remained for about 
six weeks, after which he went to a point 
about thirty miles north of London, return- 
ing thence to Berkshire. Wiltshire and then 
to Somersetshire. When a month had passed 
he again left home and emigrated to Amer- 
ica about 1886, landing in New York, and 
after two days proceeding to Michigan. .V 
month later he went to Ontario. Canada, 
where he spent four months. He was for 
three weeks in Detroit, Michigan, and then 
decided to return to Canada. Buying a 
ticket he proceeded half way when he sud- 
denly formed a resolution to abandon that 
plan and took a train for Chicago, where he 
remained for two w'eeks. He next went to 
Libertyville, Lake county, Illinois, where he 
silent a year and a half, after which he re- 
turnc<l to Canada, and at Chatham pur- 
chased a team and wagon and tent, with 



530 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



whicli lie started on a traveling expedition, 
making his way through upper Canada. On 
again reaching Chatham he bought a livery 
barn, conducting it for a time. \\'hile resid- 
ing there he underwent three different sur- 
gical operations. One was performed be- 
cause of an abscess on the lungs, bv Dr. 
Oliver Wendell Holmes, and to the skill of 
the noted author ^Ir. Burrough owes his life. 

As soon as well enough. Mr. Burrough 
returned home to his mother, for she had 
never expected to see him alive again. He 
remained in England for about two and a 
half years antl then again came to the United 
States, landing at New York, whence he pro- 
ceeded westward to Chicago and then to 
Libertyville. Illinois, living in that place for 
about six months. He attended the World's 
Columbian Exposition, taking in every inter- 
esting exhibit, and then left for Moore coun- 
ty, Mississippi, to visit his sister, Mrs. Bon- 
well. Soon afterward he took up his abode 
in Chickasaw county, Iowa, where he lived 
for about three years, dealing extensively in 
stock. On the expiration of that period he 
went to Murray county, Minnesota, spend- 
ing the summer in visiting, after which he 
made his way to \\'ebster county. Iowa, and 
was engaged in working on the Illinois Cen- 
tral Railroad. Going south to Des Moines, 
he spent two weeks in that city and then re- 
moved to Colfax, Jasper county, Iowa, 
where he enteredi into partnership with Seth 
Macy. in the cattle business, a business rela- 
tion that was maintained for three years, the 
firm being known as Macy & Burrough. 
Coming to Knierim he was among the 
first to locate at this point, erected a livery 
barn, and in December, 1901. he went to 
Des ^loines, but after a short time he re- 
turned to this place, where he is now located. 

Mr. Burrough was reared in the Episco- 



pal church and still holds membership in 
that church. He is also a member of the 
Modern Woodmen of America. He stiu 
owns land in his home county in England 
and his livery barn and one lot in Knierim. 
Broad have been his travels and varied his 
experiences. Possessing an obsening eye 
and retentive memory- his mind is now well 
stored with many interesting incidents con- 
cerning his journeyings, and he is a most 
entertaining conversationalist, having broad 
knowledge gleaned as he has passed from 
place to place, from country to country and 
from continent to continent. 



JAMES E. COREY. 

Among the wide-awake and energetic cit- 
izens of Calhoun county who are naw devot- 
ing their time and attention to agricultural 
pursuits is numbered James E. Corey, who 
resides on section 9, Calhoun township. He 
is now successfully operating a half section 
of land, owning one hundred and sixty acres 
on section 4, and renting the remainder. 

A native of Illinois, Mr. Corey was born 
near ilalta, De Kalb county, and on the pa- 
ternal side is of Scotch ancestry. His grand- 
father, Clark Corey, was a farmer of Berk- 
shire county, ^Massachusetts, and there his 
father, Daniel Corey, was born in 1822. The 
latter grew to manhood in his native state 
and there married ]\Iiss Mary C. Pease, who 
was also born and reared in ^Massachusetts. 
For a few years after his marriage Daniel 
Corey engaged in farming in the old Bay 
state, and then with his wife and two chil- 
dren moved to Illinois, in 1856. Locating 
in De Kalb county, he purchased a tract of 
land and at once began its improvement. In 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



531 



due time he had developed a farm of three 
hundred and twenty acres, becoming one of 
the .ucctssful farmers of that county. There 
he died in 1867, at the age of forty-hve 
years, when just in the prime of hfe. James 
E. is the youngest of his five children, the 
others being George, now a farmer of Cal- 
houn county, Iowa; Sarah, wife of George 
Dehart, whose sketch appears elsewhere in 
this work; and Frank and Sheridan, who 
each own a part of the old home farm in 
De Kalb county, Illinois, and are engaged 
in its operation. 

In his native county James E. Corey 
passed the days of his boyhood and youth, 
attending the home school and aiding in the 
labors of the farm. He first came to Iowa 
about 1883 and spent some time with his 
brother on a farm in Calhoun county, but 
he engaged principally in carpenter work. 
He followed that occupation both in Iowa 
and Illinois for eight or nine years. It was 
in 1892 that he located permanently in this 
county and he continued to work at his trade 
for some years, many business houses, pub- 
lic buildings and private residences showing 
his architectural skill and ability. About 
1898 he purchased his present farm of one 
hundred and sixty acres on section 9, Cal- 
houn township, and has since devoted his 
time and attention to agricultural pursuits. 
He raises a good grade of stock, and in this 
new undertaking is met with well deserved 
success. He is a wide-awake, energetic 
and progressive business man, and generally 
carrie.s forward to successful completion 
whatCA'er he undertakes. 

On the 8th of June. 1899, in Calhoun 
county, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. 
Corey and Miss Mary ]\IcMeekin. a native 
of Marshall cnuntv, Iowa, and' a daughter 



of John ^IcMeekin. Her father came to 
this state from Rock Island county, Illinois, 
and was one of the pioneers of Marshall 
county. In 1892 he removed to Calhoun 
county and purchased a farm in Calhoun 
township, where he made his home until 
called to his final rest in June, 1901. His 
family consisted of four children, namely : 
Alary, wife of our subject; James, a farmer 
of this county ; Jennie, wife of Charles 
Hibbs, whose farm adjoins that of our sub- 
ject; and Ella, wife of Rollin Hibbs, also a 
farmer of this county. Mrs. Corey was 
principally reared and educated in her native 
county. By her marriage to our subject she 
has become the mother of one child, Earl 
Francis. 

Since attaining his majority Mr. Corey 
has always affiliated with the Republican 
party, and is a stanch supjxirter of its prin- 
ciples. At local elections, however, he often 
votes independent of party lines, stipporting 
the men whom he believes best qualified for 
olifice. He is one of the representative citi- 
zens of his community, and is very popular 
with his many friends. 



ELIJAH C. DEADMAX. 

Elijah C. Deadman. one of Calhoun 
township's most thrifty and enterprising 
farmers, residing on section 21, within two 
miles of Lake City, was born on the 8th of 
April. 1842, on a farm in Shelby county, 
Kentucky, which was also the birth place of 
his father. Elijah Deadman. His paternal 
grandfather, who also bore the name of Eli- 
jah, was born, reared and married in North 
Carolina, and at an earlv dav removed to 



532 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Shelby county, Kentucky, where in the midst 
of the wilderness he cleared and improved 
a farm, making his home there throughout 
the remainder of his life. On the death of 
the grandfather the father of our subject 
succeeded to the old homestead in Kentucky, 
and made his home there throughout the re- 
mainder of his life, his time and attention 
being devoted to agricultural pursuits. He 
died about 1851 at a comparatively early 
age. His wife, who ]>ore the maiden name 
of Catherine Gaily and who was' also a na- 
tive of Shelby county, Kentucky, still sur- 
vives him, and resides with a daughter near 
ShelbyA'ille. 

On the old home farm in the Blue Grass 
state, Elijah C. Deadman of this review was 
reared in much the usual manner of farmer 
boys of his day, and remained with his 
mother until he attained his majority. He 
then engaged in farming on his own ac- 
count in his native county for a few years. 
Going to Illinois in 1868, he settled in Moul- 
trie county, where he rented a farm and en- 
gaged in its operation for a few years. 

In the meantime Mr. Deadman was mar- 
ried, March 4, 1869, to Miss Alice E. 
O'Neal, a native of Champaign county, Illi- 
nois, where her father, James O'Neal, set- 
tled at an early day in the development of 
that state. By this union were born six 
children, namely: Bertie K., who is now 
the widow of Mr. Pfiester and resides with 
her father; Frank E., who is married and 
engaged in the practice of medicine in Chi- 
cago; Orvil P., who assi-S'ts his father in 
carrying on the himic farm ; J. Homer and 
Roy E., both teachers of Calhoun county; 
and Laura Elgie, a student in the Lake City 
schools. 

After his marriage Mr. Deadman con- 



tinued to make his home in Moultrie county, 
Illinois, until 1877, when he removed' to 
Champaign county, that state and purchased 
a farm near Mahomet, to the further im- 
provement and cultivation of which he de- 
voted his energies until coming tO' Calhoun 
county, Iowa, in the fall of 1892. He then 
bought the farm of two hundred and forty 
acres on section 21, Calhoun township, 
where he now makes his home, and took up 
his residence tliere(.;n in the spring of 1893. 
It is one of the most valuable and well im- 
proved places in that part of the comity. Mr. 
Deadman commenced life for himself with- 
out means, but being industrious, energetic 
and progressive he has steadily overcome all 
the difficulties in the path to success, and is 
to-day one of the most substantial and pros- 
perous agriculturists of his community, as 
well as one of its most highly respected and 
honored citizens. Politically he is a Jeffer- 
sonian Democrat, ha\'ing always affiliated 
with that party since casting his first presi- 
dential vote for General George B. McClel- 
lan in 1864, but he has never taken any active 
part in politics aside from voting. He has 
now been a resident of this county for nine 
\-ears, and in that timebas made many warm 
friends who have for him the highest regard. 



WALTER J. COOPER. 

W'alter J. Cooper, now deceased, was 
numbered among the pioneer settlers of Cal- 
houn county and took an active part in the 
work of improvement and progress as the 
county advanced from a primitive condition 
to take its place among the leading counties 
of this great commonwealth. The qualities 
of an upright manhood were his and 




WALTER COOPER 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



535 



\vhere\er lie was known he commanded high 
regard. He was counted one of the lead- 
ing agricuhurists of this locaHty. He was 
bom near Cheshire. Berkshire county. 
Massachusetts, August 30. 1853. His 
father. Thomas Cooper, was horn near 
Wakefield, Yorkshire, England, in 1822. 
and was united in marriage to Sarah 
Rogers, the marriage being celebrated in 
Wakefield, England, June 13, 1842. In 
1849 they emigrated to the new world and 
for one year they resided in Albany, New 
York, while for fi\e years they lived in Che- 
shire, Massachusetts. In 1855 they re- 
moved westward, taking up their abode in 
Clayton county, Iowa, being among the first 
ones to settle in eastern Iowa. A year passed 
before the railroad was built into the state, 
and the work of improvement largely lay 
in the future. In 1862 when the Civil war 
was inaugurated Mr. Cooper responded to 
the country's call for aid, enlisting in Com- 
pany D, Twenty-first Iowa Infantry. He 
succumbed to the heat in the Vicksburg cam- 
paign and was removed to the hospital in 
Memphis, Tennessee, where he died on the 
9th of October, 1863. In 1866 his widow 
removed with her children to Calhoun coun- 
ty, locating on a homestead claim. Here she 
was again a pioneer, being one of the first 
settlers of the northern portion of the coun- 
ty. She bravely met all the hardships and 
discouragements of pioneer life, however, in 
order to secure a home for her family. She 
was a devout metuber of the Methodist Epis- 
copal church and in that faith reared her 
children. She was indeed a faithful naother, 
doing everything in her power for the little 
ones left to her care. In the family were 
si.\- children : Ebenezer and Alva, now de- 
ceased; Mary, the wife of J- M. Lowe, of 
Sisseton, South Dakota ; Walter, of this re- 



view; Sarah, the wife of B. A. Sherman, of 
Delaware county, Iowa ; and Thomas, who 
is living in Manson. 

Walter J. Cooper was only two^ years 
old when his parents left the east and be- 
came residents of Iowa, settling at Volga 
City, Clayton county. In 1866 he accom- 
panied liis mother to Calhoun county, be- 
coming a resident of Greenfield township, 
where he spent his remaining days. Here 
the greater part of his education was ac- 
quired in the district schools and he early 
became familiar with the arduous task of de- 
veloping wild land and transforming it into 
richly cultivated fields. He bravely met the 
hardships of pioneer life, engaged in break- 
ing the prairie and in the improving of the 
home farm until his efforts were rewarded 
with good crops. 

On the 13th of February, 1879, was 
celebrated the marriage of Mr. Cooper and 
Miss Maria E. Julius, a daughter of Peter 
and Anna B. (Smith) Julius, both of whom 
were natives of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Cooper 
was born in Xew York state, October i, 
1858, and by her marriage became the moth- 
er of two children, Clyde C, born No\-ember- 
I, 1879, and Clara, born March 20, 1881. 
Mr. Cooper ga\'e his political support to the 
Repuljlican party, and was one of its stand- 
ard bearers in this locality. His efiforts were 
efi^ecti\e in promoting its upbuilding and for 
some years he served as township trustee, 
while for about four years he was county 
supervisor. Wiilely known and recognized 
as one of the most progressive citizens of the 
community, he always co-operated in every 
movement and measure for the general good 
and labored not alone for the present but 
for the iirnsperity of the future. He was a 
valued mcmlier of the Odd Fellows Society 
and the .Vncient Order of United Workmen, 



536 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and was in every sense of tlie term one of 
the prominent and influential citizens of 
Calhoun county. An earnest Christian 
gentleman, he long held membership with 
the Methodist Episcopal church, was super- 
intendent oi the Sunday-school for three 
years, was one of the church trustees and a 
member of the building committee at the 
time of the erection of the Methodist church 
in Knierim. He never faltered in his al- 
lee-iance to the cause and was most zealous 
and earnest in the work of Christianity. 

In 1885 he removed with his family to 
section 2. Greenfield township — the town- 
ship which had been named by his mother. 
He located in the southwest quarter, in a 
beautiful home, which is now occupied by 
his family and is surrounded by evergreen 
trees and a well kept lot. He placed sub- 
stantial buildings upon his farm and made 
his property one of the finest country-seats 
in Calhoun county. He had a good orchard 
and raised high grades of stock, and in fact 
conducted one of the finest farms of the 
locality, equipping it with all modern acces- 
sories and improvements. He passed away 
at this home January 21. 1902, at the age of 
forty-eight years and four months. When 
he saw that the close of his life was near he 
made a will arranging everything in such a 
satisfactory manner that his family would 
be well cared for. He left his wife in splen- 
did circumstances for life, and also provided 
handsomely for his children. His estate 
comprises one hundred and sixty acres of 
richly improved land, constituting a valu- 
able proi)erty. The farm will be carried on 
by his son Clyde, while ]\Irs. Cooper will 
make her home in Knierim. The son has 
married Cora E. Richardson, a daughter of 
Clark Richardson, of Knierim. In all life's 
relations Mr. Cooper was esteemed for his 



genuine worth. He was straightforward 
and honorable in all business relations, was 
progressive and loyal in citizenship. He con- 
sidered no personal sacrifice too great that 
would promote the welfare and happiness of 
his wife and children, and at all times his 
career was in consistent harmony with Chris- 
tian principles. His example is well worthy 
of emulation, and his name is inscribed high 
on the roll of Calhoun county's representa- 
tive and honored men. 



JOHN DOUGHERTY. 

One of the leading and representative 
citizens of Lake Creek township is Johif 
Dougherty, who was born in Ireland on the 
20th of June, 1846. and was ten years old 
when he came to the United States with his 
parents. Cornelius and Mary (Sheahan) 
Dougherty. The family first located in Xew 
York state, but afterward removed to Xew 
Jersey, where the father engaged in farming 
for some years. His last days, however, 
were spent in Chicago, where he died at the 
age of sixty-five years. He was an upright, 
reliable and industrious man. and command- 
ed the respect and confidence of all with 
whom he came in contact. His wife departed 
this life in Champaign county, Illinois, at the 
age of sixt_\--four years. They have four 
children, of whom three are now living, Pat- 
rick having died at the age of fifty years. 
The surviving children are Mrs Ellen Craw- 
ford, of Peoria. Illinois: John, of this re- 
view ; and Mrs. Hannah Manning, of Ur- 
bana, Illinois. 

John Doughertv grew to manhood in 
A'cw Jersey, and obtained his education in 
the public .schools of that state. He began 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



537 



iiis business career as a railroad man, being 
in the employ of the Camden & Amboy Rail- 
road Company at South Amlwy, Xew Jer- 
sey, for two years, and from there went to 
Chicago in April, 1865, making his home in 
that city for the same length of time. While 
residing there he was employed as heater's 
helper in the rolling mills. He next moved 
to Champaign county, Illinois, where he en- 
gaged in farming for twenty years, and 
while there bought forty acres of land, which 
was the first real estate he ever owned. In 
March, 1889, Mr. Dougherty came to Cal- 
houn county, Iowa, and purchased one hun- 
dred and sixty acres of wild land in Lake 
Creek township, where he now resides, and 
has since added to it a tract of forty acres, 
making a fine farm of two hundred acres, 
which he has placed under a high state of 
cultivation, and improved wth good and sub- 
stantial buildings. He also operates other 
land, ha\ing farmed as high as five hundred 
acres, and at the present time raises about 
one hundred acres of corn and the same 
amount of small grain, besides hay. He 
keeps about thirty head of cattle and prefers 
the short-horn breed. 

Mr. Dougherty was married on the loth 
of October, 1870, to Miss Mary A. Wright, 
a native of Adams county, Ohio, and a 
daughter of James and Rebecca Wright, the 
former also a native of Ohio, and the latter 
of Kentucky. Her father, who was a farmer 
by occupation, is now deaceased, but her 
mother is still living and now makes her 
home in Calhoun county, Iowa. i\Ir. and 
Mrs. Dougherty have a family of nine chil- 
dren, namely: Charles F., John A., Xellie, 
James Oliver, Ira, Bert, Grace, Mamie and 
Clara. 

By his ballot Mr. Dougherty supports 
the Republican jjarty and its princijiles, and 



he takes an active interest in public affairs, 
as every true American citizen should. He 
enjoys the well-earned distinction of being 
what the public terms a "self-made man," 
and an analyzation of his character reveals 
the fact that enterprise, well directed effort 
and honorable dealing have been the essential 
features in his prosperity. 



JASPER CLARK. 

Jasper Clark, who resides on section ^^, 
Elm Grove township, Calhoun county, is 
one of the thrifty farmers and stock-raisers 
who have been identified with agricultural 
interests in this section of the state from the 
period of its pioneer development. He now 
owns three hundred and fifty-one acres of 
valuable land, indicating his careful super- 
vision. 

Mr. Clark is a native son of the Golden 
West, for his birth occurred in Delaware 
county, Iowa, September 16, 1847. His 
father, John Clark, was born in Virginia, in 
181 5, and George Clark, the grandfather of 
our subject, was also a native of the Old 
Dominion, the family having been founded 
in that state at an early epoch in American 
history. At length he determined to seek 
his home on the western frontier, and in 
1825 emigrated to Indiana, where he resided 
for several years. He next removed to Illi- 
nois and subsequently came to Iowa, settling 
in Delaware county about 1835. Here John 
Clark entered from the government a tract 
of several hundred acres of land and opened 
up a farm. In Delaware county lie made 
preparation for a home of his own by his 
marriage to Miss Olive Rixford, a native of 
Erie county, Xew York, and a daughter of 
Leverett Rixford, who came to Iowa at an 



538 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



early day, casting in his lot with the pioneer 
settlers of Delaware county. John Clark be- 
came a prominent and influential farmer of 
that county, met success in his undertakings 
and there made his home until his death, 
which occurred about 1892. His wife, sur- 
viving him a short time, passed away in 
1896. In their family were three sons and 
three daughters who' reached mature years. 
Andrew became a farmer of Elm Grove 
township, Calhoun county ; Jasper is the 
second son; George is a resident of Greene 
county, Iowa; Cornelia is the wife of Rich- 
ard ^laxwell, of Spokane Falls, Washing- 
ton; Lucy resides in Delaware county, this 
state ; and Sarah died in early womanhood. 
On the home farm in Delaware county 
Jasper Clark spent the days of his boyhood 
and youth in the usual manner of lx)ys of 
the period, and after obtaining his early edu- 
cation in tlie district schools he remained 
under the parental roof until he had attained 
his majority and was married in Delaware 
county, on the 15th of October, 1868, to 
Janette Annis, who was born in Erie, New 
York, a daughter of Herman Annis, who. 
on leaving the Empire state, made his way 
across the country to Delaware county, 
Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Clark began their do- 
mestic life upon a rented farm which he 
operated for three years, and in 1872 they 
came to Calhoim county, where he purchased 
a tract of raw land of forty acres, the nu- 
cleus of his present fine farm. On this he 
took up his abode in the spring of 1873, 
broke and fenced the land and made many 
improvements upon it. In connection with 
its culti\-ation he also operated land which 
he rented until his financial resources en- 
abled him to make other purchases. He has 
made judicious investments in real estate as 
he has found opportunity until he now owns 



two valuable farms, the home place compris- 
ing two hundred and forty acres, on which 
he has erected a good residence and also 
built substantial barns and outbuildings for 
the shelter of grain and stock. Fruit and 
shade trees add to the value and attractive 
appearance of the place and the richly culti- 
vated fields return to him good harvests, 
while fine grades of stock are seen in his pas- 
tures. He is justly regarded as one of the 
leading and successful farmers and stock- 
raisers of his locality. 

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Clark has 
been blessed with five children : Bertha, the 
wife of R. E. Smith, a farmer of Lake Creek 
township; Leroy, who is married and with 
his familv resides on one of his father's 
farms; Majd, who pursued her education in 
the .schools oi Cedar Falls and for several 
terms has been successfully engaged in 
teaching in Calhoun county; Claud, who is a 
student in Western College in Toledo, Iowa ; 
and Ross, who is attending the home school. 

Mr. Clark cast his first presidential vote 
for Horatio Se^'mour and supported the 
Democracy for some time, but has now for 
long years been a stanch Republican, beliex- 
ing in sound money, protection to American 
industries, expansion and the upholding of 
the American flag wherever it has been 
planted through accession or conquest. He 
was elected and served as township trustee 
at the organization of Elm Grove township, 
and for years has been secretary of the 
school board, exercising his influence for the 
advancement of the standard of the schools, 
realizing how important a factor is educa- 
tion in the active affairs of life. In 18S2 he 
was elected a member of the county board of 
supervisors and filled the position for nine 
consecuti\'e years, proving a most capable 
officer and winning high encomiums by his 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



539 



efficient ser\-ice. During his incumliency 
two large ilrains were erected at a cost of 
fifty-one thousand dollars, whereby over 
tliirty-two thousand acres of land were re- 
claimed and made capable of cultivation. 
\\'hen the courthouse was destroyed b_\' fire 
he co-operated in the movement of the board 
for the erection of the present fine hall of 
justice. He served as chairman of the covm- 
ty board for one or two years and was a 
member of \'arious important committees at 
other times. He has likewise been township 
treasurer and has been a delegate to the 
count\', congressional and state conventions 
at various times. In whatever position he 
has been called upon to fill he has proved 
reliable and trustworthy, discharging his du- 
ties to the best of his ability, his efficient 
service being highly commended by the best 
citizens of his township and county. Mr. 
Clark has always resided in lo'wa and for 
thirty years has been a resident of Calhoun 
county. He has witnessed the building of 
the railroad, has seen the wild lands trans- 
foriued into fine farms and the county gen- 
erally advance to a proud position among the 
counties of this great commonwealth and no 
one has been more loyal to the best interests 
of the community than Jasper Clark, whose 
well spent life is indeed worthy of emulation. 



CHARLES L. DRO^LMER. 

Charles L. Drommer is one of the pro- 
gressive and wide-awake farmers of Butler 
town.ship, residing on section 13, and 
througout his life he has resided in this por- 
tion of the state. He was born in Fort 
Dodge, Iowa, July 15, 1865, and is a son 
of John and Marietta (Collins) Drommer. 



The father of our subject was a native of 
Saxony, Germany, born February 22, 1831, 
and liis father, Charles Drommer, who was 
also born in the same locality, spent liis en- 
tire life in Germany, where he died in 1863. 
He was a weaver by trade and followed that 
pursuit in support of his family. His wife 
survived him for about nine years, passing 
away in 1872. In their family were eleven 
children, Init John Drommer was the only 
one that ever crossed the Atlantic to the new 
world. He obtained his education in the 
schools of Saxony, and at the age of four- 
teen he began learning the wea\'er's trade 
under the direction of his father. He was 
twenty-one years of age when he resolved to 
seek a home and fortune in the new world, 
for he had heard favorable reports of the 
opportunities offered to men of determina- 
tion, industry and ambition. Accordingly he 
crossed the .\tlantic and on his arri\al be- 
gan working at the harnessmaker's trade in 
Xew York, there following that pursuit for 
two years. In 1854 he removed to Pennsyl- 
vania and took charge of a sawmill whch he 
operated for abont a year, when he removed 
westward to Illinois. In that state he worked 
in a sawmill, following that pursuit until 
1856, when he became a resident of Clear 
Lake. Iowa. Soon afterward, however, he 
took up his abode in Fort Dodge, where he 
was connected with the operation of saw- 
mills and flouring mills until iSfe. In that 
year he turned his attention to the tanner's 
trade, which he followed until 1870, and 
then came to Calhoun county and secured a 
homestead claim two and one-half miles 
southwest of Pomeroy in Butler township. 
It comprised the south half of the north- 
east quarter of section 14, and there he lived 
until 1882, when he purchased the west half 
of section 13 in Butler township. His farm 



540 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



was pleasantly located about a mile south of 
Pomeroy, and he made of it a very valuable 
property, owing to the excellent improve- 
ments which he placed upon the farm. It 
continued to be his home until his death, and 
he was long regarded as one of the leading 
and enterprising agriculturists of the com- 
munity. 

On the 5th of December, 1861, John 
Drommer was united in marriage in Fort 
Dodge, to Marietta Collins, who was born 
November 15. 1842. and is a daughter of 
Zachariah-and Ellen (W'allace) Collins, the 
former a native of North Carolina, and the 
latter of Ohio. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Drom- 
mer were born six children: Martha E., 
the wife of Henry Wells, of Butler town- 
ship, Calhoun county; Charles L.,- the sub- 
ject of this review; William H., who is en- 
gaged in the implement business at Pome- 
roy; George V., a resident of Norton, Kan- 
sas; Louis W., who resides on the old home- 
stead farm with his brother ; and two who 
died in infancy. The family are members 
of the German Lutheran church' and the life 
of John Drommer was at all times in har- 
mony with the highest principles of man- 
hood. He voted with the Republican party 
and held all of the township offices, being 
called to positions of public trust by his fel- 
low townsmen who recognized his worth' an<l 
ability. He was one of the honored pioneers 
of the county and while he never sO'Ught 
notoriety, and while his life was free from 
ostentation, he yet performed his duties with 
strict regard to the obligations which de- 
volved upon him and in all possible ways 
aided in the substantial upbuilding and de- 
velopment of his portion of the state. He 
was spoken of by the local papers as an 
honorable and exemplary citizen and was 



ever known as a faithful friend, while to 
his family he was an indulgent and loving 
husband and father. Bv well directed in- 
dustry and honorable effort he gained pros- 
perity and was able to leave his family in 
very comfortable circumstances. More than 
that, he left to them the heritage of an 
untarnished name and his example is in- 
deed in many respects well worthy of emu- 
lation. 

In June, 1892, Mrs. Drommer removed 
to Pomeroy, purchased land and erected a 
home, but during the memorable cyclone 
which occured on the 6th of July, 1893, ^'"i^ 
residence and barn were completely de- 
stryed. Mrs. Drommer and her two sons 
went into a cellar and escaped with their 
li\'es, but the mother had an arm dislocated 
at the elbow and broken just above the 
wrist, while she also sustained; a severe 
wound on the head. During the fall of 1893 
the family again resided upon the old home- 
stead, after which Mrs. Drommer erected 
her pleasant residence which she now occu- 
pies in Pomeroy. She owns eighty acres at 
the edge of the town, together with a half- 
section of land in Butler township. Her 
farms are improved with good substantial 
building-s and all modern accessories. She 
is a most estimalile lady whose many excel- 
lencies of character have gained her the li)\-e 
and esteem of all whom she knows. 

Charles L. Drommer, whose name intrii- 
duces this record, pursued his education in 
the district schools of Calhoun county, fur 
he was only five years of age when his par- 
ents removed from Fort Dodge to this place. 
No events of special imjxDrtance occurred to 
vary the routine of farm life for him in his 
youth. He performed the duties of the 
school room, enjoyed the pleasures of the 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



541 



play otouikI. and in the summer montlis 
worked in field and meadow. On the 24th 
of Fehriiary, 1892, he was united in mar- 
riage to Miss Lucy Cookton. who was born 
April 5, 1871, and is a daughter of John 
and Helen (Holtzmyer) Cookton. Her fa- 
ther was a native of Germany, her mother 
of Pennsylvania, and in their family were 
nine children, Mrs. Drommer being the third 
in order of birth. The others are : Annie, 
the wife of Henry Kruel, of Pocahontas 
county ; Mamie, who married John Doyle, of 
Pomeroy ; John, a farmer of Pocahontas 
county : Lizzie, who became the wife of 
James Wood, a resident of Pocahontas coun- 
ty ; Sylvester, who lives on the home farm ; 
James, who married Lizzie Burns, February 
II, 1902, at Fonda; and Eddie and Helen, 
who are living with their parents. Since 
the removal of the parents to the city Syl- 
vester and James operate the home farm. 
Mr. and Mrs. Cookton now reside in Poca- 
hontas county. The marriage of our sub- 
ject and his wife has been blessed with four 
chiUlren : Nellie May, born November 13, 
1892 ; John E., born July 15, 1896 ; Mildred, 
whose birth occurred on the 14th of January, 
1898; and Charles Leroy, who was born on 
April 6, 1899. Mr. and Mrs. Drommer have 
a very pleasant home on section 13, Butler 
township, where he owns and operates in 
connection with his brother Lewis a well im- 
proved tract of land nf one hundred ami 
seventy-three acres. Our subject is also the 
owner of one hundred and twenty acres west 
of Minneapolis, Minne.sota. He is quite ex- 
tensively engaged in stock raising and is con- 
nected with the Co-operative Creamery As- 
sociation of Pomeroy. His business affairs 
are well managed and his keen sagacity and 
unflagging labor have l>een the means of 
winning for him creditable standing among 



the leading agriculturists of his county. He 
is now serving as a member of the board of 
supervisors and his record as an official is 
in harmony with his record as a man. All 
who know him have confidence in his ability 
and his trustworthiness is above question. 
During his long residence in the county he 
has made many warm friends and well does 
he deserve mention among the representa- 
tive citizens of this portion of the state. 



WILLIAM C. SURRELL. 

William C. Surrell is a railway engineer 
in the service of the Chicago & Northwestern 
Railroad, with which he has been connected 
since March, 1882, a period of twenty con- 
secutive years. He claims New York as the 
state of his nativity, his birth having oc- 
curred in North Norwich, Chenango coun- 
ty, August 17, 1859. his parents being John 
and Rachel (Cook) Surrell. His father was 
born on the ocean while his parents were 
crossing the Atlantic from England to the 
United States, while the mother of our sub- 
ject was a native of Pennsylvania, .\bout 
1864 John Surrell removed with his family 
to Wisconsin, taking up his abode in She- 
boygan county, where lie remained for about 
a year and then went to Outagamie county, 
that state. After fifteen years' residence 
there the family \Vent to Missouri, settling 
in Clinton county, where the father died in 
the spring of 1881, when about fifty-four 
years of age. His wife passed away in 
Eagle Grove, Iowa, in 1886, at the age of 
fifty-si.x years. In their family are three 
sons and' one daughter, who are yet liv- 
ing: George .Vdelbert, a resident of Eagle 
Grove; Mary, the wife of Daniel Collins, of 
Nebraska : William C, of this review ; and 



542 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Russell E., who is general furenian uf the 
water supply department for the central 
Iowa division of the Chicago & Northwest- 
ern Railroad Company and makes his home 
at Eagle Grove. 

William C. Surrell pursued his early ed- 
ucation in Wisconsin and on leaving the 
parental roof he entered the service of the 
railroad company, with wliich he is still 
connected. This was in March, 1882. He 
was first employed as a section hand, work- 
ing in that capacity for a year and a half, 
after which he spent two years as engine 
wiper in t^e round house. On the expira- 
tion of that period he went to Eagle Grove 
and became fireman on the Northern Iowa 
division. Three years later he was pro- 
moted tO' engineer on the same division, run- 
ning between Eagle Grove, Hawarden and 
Farmer City. During the past ten years he 
has been running out of Lake City in the 
freight service. He has been a resident of 
this place since 1892. 

In September, 1881, occurred the mar- 
riage of ]\[r. Surrell and Miss Ellis Gard- 
ner, of Clinton, Missouri, and four chil- 
dren grace their union : Myrtle Ellen, Jen- 
nie, William and Xora, the last named a 
resident of Wisconsin. On the 2d of No- 
vember, 1896, Mr. Surrell was again mar- 
ried, his second union being with Aris An- 
derson, of Lake City. They have two chil- 
dren : Leona and Oscar. Mr. Surrell is 
connected with the Brotherhood of Loco- 
motive Engineers, and in politics is a standi 
Republican, but he has ne\-er sought or de- 
sired the honors or emoluments of public of- 
fice. During the twenty years of his rail- 
road service he has never lieen in a wreck. 
He is a very painstaking and careful en- 
gineer, discharging his duties with marked 
ability and his worth is widely recognized. 



ROBERT A. HORTON. 

Prominent in the business circles of Cal- 
houn county stands Robert A. Horton. His 
success in all his undertakings has been so 
marked that his methods are of interest to 
the commercial world. He has based his 
business principles and actions upon strict 
adherence to the rules which govern indus- 
try, economy and strict, unswerving integ- 
rity. His enterprise and progressive spirit 
have made him a .typical lowan in every 
sense of the word, and he well deserves men- 
tion in her history. What he is to-day he has 
made himself, for he began in the world with 
nothing but his own energy and willing 
hands to aid him. By constant e.xertion, as- 
sociated with good judgment, he has raised 
himself to the prominent position which he 
now holds, having the friendship of many 
and the respect of all who know him. 

Mr. Horton was born in Winnebago 
county, Illinois, November 11, 1S50, and is 
a son of G. L. and Jane (McBride) Horton, 
both of whom were natives of New York, 
their marriage laeing celebrated in that state. 
They emigrated westward, however, before 
there was a railroad Iniilt be\ond Chicago. 
In 1837 they arrived in Illinois, making the 
journey overland with a team, Mr. Horton, 
the father, driving a yoke of oxen into Chi- 
cago. He was a farmer by occupation and 
for many years followed that pursuit upon 
the prairies of Illinois. Both he and his wife 
died in that state, with whose pioneer de- 
velopment they were actively identified, yir. 
Horton was a Republican in his political 
views, strictly endorsing the principles of 
the party. In his family were six children, 
I>ut two of the number, Mary and Wilbur, 
(lied in infancy. Roger Sherman enlisted 
in Com])any L, Eighth Illinois Cavalry, un- 




R. A. HORTON. 



M 



♦i 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



545 



der Colonel John S. Farnsworth, and went 
into camp at St. Charles, Illinois, on the 
Fox river in 1861. He was killed in a skir- 
mish at Culpeper, on the Muddy river, when 
taking part in a cavalry charge, and was 
holding the office of quartermaster sergeant 
at the time of his death. A. A. Horton, the 
fourth member of the family, married Jose- 
phine Potter, and after her death he wedded 
Julie Brownlee. He is now residing in 
North Dakota, where he is engaged in the 
real estate business, but for a number of 
years he made his home in Pomeroy, Cal- 
houn county, where he was a lumber mer- 
chant. Frank, the next member of the fam- 
ily, died at the age of twelve years. 

Robert A. Horton, the youngest of the 
family, obtained his early education in the 
common schools of Illinois, pursuing his 
studies until eighteen years of age, when he 
entered the high school at Rockford. When 
his education was completed he turned his 
attention to farming which he followed con- 
tinuously in Illinois until 1874 when he came 
to Iowa, locating in Pocahontas county, 
where he purchased a farm, making his 
home thereon for four years. On the ex- 
piration of that period he sold his land and 
removed to Manson, Calhoun county, where 
he purchased the lumber business of Enoch 
Skinner, conducting the same for five years 
as a member of the firm of R. A. Horton & 
Company. He was most successful in that 
enterprise, his patronage steadily increasing 
and bringing to him a handsome financial re- 
turn. On selling his lumber interests he be- 
gan dealing in real estate and is also a repre- 
sentative of the loan and insurance business. 
In this enterprise he formed a partnership 
with Cyrus A. Whittlesey, under the firm 
name of Horton & Whittlesey. They handle 
land in central and southern Minnesota and 
30 



also' Iowa lands, and ha\'e negotiated some 
very important real-estate transfers. Mr. 
Horton is welU versed in land x'alues and his 
labors have been effective in promoting the 
upbuilding and improvement of this state. 
He is a man of resourceful business ability, 
of keen sagacity and strong determination 
and whatever he undertakes he carries for- 
ward to successful completion. He has also 
been assignee for two firms that have failed 
in business and closed out their affairs in a 
manner creditable to himself and satisfactory 
to all concerned. He conducts all transac- 
tions along the lines of the strictest commer- 
cial ethics and his reputation for straightfor- 
ward dealing and integrity is unassailable. 

His fellow townsmen, recognizing his 
worth and ability, have frecpiently called Mr. 
Horton to public offices of honor and trust. 
At different times he has filled all the city 
and township- offices, discharging his duties 
in a most conscientious and capable manner. 
He is quite prominent in fraternal circles, be- 
longing to Morning Light Lodge, No. 384, 
F. & -A.. M.; Temple Lodge, No. 95, K. P.; 
and to Evening Light Lodge, of the order of 
the Eastern Star, of which his wife is also a 
member. He has filled all of the offices in 
the Knights of Pythias organization and 
represents the true spirit of the craft in his 
exemplary life. 

On the 29th of December, 1873, in 
Pomeroy,' Iowa, Mr. Horton was united in 
marriage to Miss Sarah .-X. Brownell, who 
was born in Vermont, in 1852, and is a 
daughter of Thomas J. and IMary (Car- 
l)enter) Brownell, who were also natives of 
the Green Mountain state in which they were 
reared and married. They remained in New 
England until 1854, when they emigrated 
westward to Illinois, locating in Winnebago 
countv, where the father followed the mill- 



546 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



vvrig-ht's trade. Subsequently he came to 
Iowa, locating in Pocahontas county in 
1873. There he devoted his attention to 
fanning until his life's labors were ended 
in death. His wife also' passed away in that 
locality. They were the parents of four chil- 
dren : Ray C. married Mrs. Ellen Black- 
inton and resides at Ogden, Utah. He was 
formerly a partner with his brother-in-law 
in the lumber business at Manson, Iowa, but 
now engages in the cattle business. Morell 
died when eighteen years of age. Sarah is 
the wife of our subject. Niles L. married 
May Palmer, a daughter of Dr. Palmer, of 
Davenport, and resides in Pomeroy, Iowa, 
occupying the position of postmaster of that 
city. After the death of his first wife, who 
passed away January 19, 1895, and was 
laid to rest in Manson, Iowa, Mr. Horton 
was again married, his second union being 
celebrated in Webster City, this state, Miss 
Ida Wiegel becoming his wife. She was 
born in Stephenson county, Illinois, near 
Freeport, and is a daughter of David Wie- 
gel, a native of Pennsylvania, and a farmer 
by occupation, who came to Marshall county 
at an early date. Her mother and father are 
both deceased and are buried at Marshall- 
town. Mrs. Horton is one of eight children, 
four of whom are deceased. By his first 
marriage Mr. Horton -had four children, of 
whom one died in infancy. Those living are 
Arthur T., born in Manson, Iowa, October 
29, 1884, and now a student in the high 
school; Mary E., who was born Septem- 
ber 19, 18S8: and Margie, born February 
11, 1892. Mr. Hortun has had a successful 
cai^^er since the time, when as a young man, 
he started tnit in business on his own ac- 
count, and his life danonstrates what can 
be accomplished by industry and enterprise 
in a land which is unhampered by caste or 



class. He is in touch with the progressive 
spirit which has led to the wonderful de- 
\elopment of the west. Indolence and idle- 
ness are utterly foreign to his nature and 
with marked diligence he has persevered in 
the transaction of his business interests until 
he stands to-day among the many successful 
men' of Calhotm countv. 



■ B. F. FREEBURGER. 

Prominently associated with business in- 
terests in Manson, B. F. Freeburger con- 
ducts a real estate, insurance antl loan of- 
fice and his business operations are extensixe 
and of an important character. He is, more- 
o'ver, recognized as one of the influential 
citizens of his community, an honored pio- 
neer who, from the period of early develop- 
ment in Calhoun county, has co-operated 
in many movements for the general good. 
He was born in Baltimore, Maryland, March 
4, 1840, and is a son of John and Elizabeth 
( McDonald) Freeburger, who were natives 
of Maryland. Their wedding was celebratetl 
in Baltimore, where they spent their remain- 
ing days, the father engaging in the title and 
abstract business during the greater part of 
his life, although at an early day he learned 
and followed the trade of metal roofing. He 
filled a number of public positions of honor 
Rnd trust, serving as deputy city recorder, 
deputy sherifif and in other local offices un- 
der Mayor Hillan. He was a member of the 
German Lutheran church and in his iK)lit- 
ical views was a Democrat. He died about 
1876, and his wife passed away aliout 1882. 
In their family were three sons and three 
daughters : John, who died at the age of one 
year ; Anna, who died at the age of fifteen ; 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



547 



Amanda, the widow of Jolm Eany, and a 
resident of Baltimore, Maryland ; B. P., of 
this review; Mary, the deceased wife of Ed- 
ward Stowman, of Baltimore ; and Solomon 
H., who wedded Mary Haggerty and is now 
judge of the appeal tax court of Baltimore. 
In the common schools of the beautiful 
southern city in which he was born and 
reared B. F. Freeburger obtained his educa- 
tion. At the age of sixteen he put aside his 
text-books and began learning the machin- 
i.st's trade in the shops of the Baltimore & 
•Ohio Railroad Company, serving for four 
years as an apprentice. When the Ci\il war 
broke out he went to Xorwalk to work for 
tlie government in a quartermaster's depart- 
ment and subsequently was at Fortress Mon- 
roe in the ordnance department. Later he be- 
came marine engineer and was assigned to 
dutv on gunboat transports, doing duty on 
such boats as would come to the fort with- 
out an engineer.. In this capacity as special 
expert engineer he served during the greater " 
])art of the war. He was also detailed and 
joined Featherbridge's noted scouts, who 
cleared the country of rebels between Balti- 
more and Washingfon. He was present at 
the recapture of the Union General Franklin. 
Subsequently he returned to Fortress Mon- 
roe, where he remained until 1866. During 
the war he was with the command that 
saved Baltimore from the Confederate forces 
and he and his companions were honored by 
the city council who placed their names upon 
the wall of the council chamber, where the 
inscription yet remains. In 1867 the officers 
under whom Mr. Freeburger served were or- 
dered to tiie arsenal at Rock Island, Illinois, 
and he followed them there. He received 
\'erv flattering offers to continue in the g"v- 
ernment employ, but accepted instead a ])n- 
sition in the Deere Plow Works. Subse- 



quently he worked for the Moline Plow 
Company as an expert machinist and engin- 
eer, remaining in that service for eighteen 
months, when his health failed and the doc- 
tor advised him to gO' to the prairies of Iowa. 
Accordingly Mr. Freeburger made his 
way to Fort Dodge and for two years was 
employed as a salesman in the hardware 
store of Bissell & Turner. In the meantime 
he entered a homestead claim on the prairie 
in Sherman township, Calhoun county. He 
was made station agent at Manson on the 
Illinois Central Railroad, and also opened a 
store there, it being the .second in the place, 
the Glo\-er Brothers having previously be- 
gun business in Man.son. For miles one 
could look abroad over the wiUl prairie and 
could frequently see a prairie schooner bring- 
ing with it the pioneer settlers to reclaim 
the wild land for the uses of the white man. 
Mr. Freeburger remained with the railroad 
company for about a year and a half and 
afterward devoted his attention to merchan- 
dising, but abandoned this and was elected 
to the office of county sheriff, in which he 
served for two years. He was also justice 
of the peace, a member of the city council, 
and mayor of Manson, and w as president of 
the school board. In fact at different tnnes 
he held many of the local and countv offices 
and is to-day one of the most widely known 
men in Calhoun county. In later years he 
has devoted his attention to the real estate, 
loan and insurance business, and in these 
lines has secured a liberal patronage. 

In July, 1868, at Davenport, Iowa, Mr. 
Freeburger was united in marriage to Miss 
Anna Jane Gregg, who was Ixim in Penn- 
sylvania Xovember 14, 1840, a daughter of 
Thomas and Margaret (Walsh) Gregg, both 
of whom were natives of Ireland, in which 
land tliey were married. About 1838 they 



548 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



crossed the Atlantic to the new world, estab- 
lishing their home in Indiana county. Penn- 
sj-Ivania, whence they afterward removed 
to Baltimore. In 1861 they took up their 
abode in Port Byron. Illin<.is. where they 
lived until 1867. and then came to Calhoun 
county, settling on a farm in Sherman town- 
ship. Later they removed to Manscn. where 
the father died, while the mother departed 
this life in Rockwell City. In their family 
were seven children: Thomas C, who mar- 
ried Elizabeth Carson, now deceased, and 
resides in Rockwell City, Iowa ; Anna Jane, 
the wife of Mr. Freeburger ; Daniel, who has 
passed away, while his widow, who bore the 
maiden name of Emma Blain, resides in Oii- 
cago : Celina, who became Mrs. Jesse Smith, 
and resides in Center township: James P.. 
a resident of Fort Dodge, Iowa, who mar- 
ried Eugenie Stratton : John, who married 
Emma Hallack. and resides in Gilmore, 
Iowa : and Alary, who passed away when 
fifteen years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Free- 
burger have become the parents of five sons 
and three daughters, all of whom were l>3rn 
in Manson. Bertha L.. the first child born 
in Manson, opened her eyes to the light of 
day on the 26th of May, 1870, and is the 
wife of T. P. Ebersole, of Manson, who is 
a po.stal clerk on the Illinois Central Rail- 
road, running between Sioux City and Du- 
buque. They have two children, Zeda and 
Paul. The second of the Freeburger family 
is Doctor Myrtle Griffin. She w^as born June 
3, 1872. and married Dr. F. M. Griffin, a 
practicing dentist of Manson, while she is a 
homeopathic practitioner of medicine and 
surgery. Walter, born August 6, 1873, died 
at the age of four years. Grace, born Au- 
gust 29. 1875. is the wife of Walrode Dana, 
a teacher in the public schools of Manson, 
and thev have two children. Ralph and 



Harry. Benjamin, born June 11. 1877. is 
now- studying law in the State University 
at lo'wa City. Solomon H.. born July 19, 
1879. is teaching school in Pocahontas coun- 
ty. Joseph, born June 2, 188 1, is studying 
\eterinary surgery. George \\'.. born Au- 
gust 18. 1883. is now a drug clerk in Man- 
son. 

Mr. Freeburger is a valued representa- 
tive member of IManson Lodge, No. 642. I. 
O. O. F.. and of Morning Light Lodge. No. 
384. F. & A. M. In politics he is a stanch 
supporter of the Democracy, recognized as 
one of the leading and influential members 
of his party. He has frequently been a can- 
didate for the state legislature and for con- 
gress, and has not only attended all the local 
conventions of his party, but for the past 
quarter od' a century he has attended every 
state convention. He takes a deep interest 
iu the growth of Democracy and also in 
measures for the general good. While he 
is not a church member he has a clear con- 
ception of man's duty to God and his fellow 
men. antl never fails to discharge every obli- 
gation devolving upon him. He is very 
widely known and has become popular with 
all who have met him in business or social 

life. 

•-»-» 

J. F. MALDEN. 

J. F. Maiden is the enterprising pro- 
prietor of a lumber yard in Maiden, where 
he is also conducting a meat market. He 
owes his success entirely to his own- efforts, 
for he had no influential friends or pecuniary 
aid to assist him at the outset of his career. 
He was born near Norfolk, Virginia. De- 
cember 10, 1849. and is a son of Dwight and 
Elizalx^th (Linn) Maiden. The father was 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



549 



of French Huguenot lineage, while the 
mother was of English descent, although her 
people had for many generations been resi- 
dents of America. Both tlie great-grandfa- 
thers of our subject served in the Revolu- 
tionary war under General Washington. 
Tlie father, Dwight Maiden, was a planter 
and conducted his home place in Tennessee 
until the Civil war brc>ke out. when true to 
his loving southland he enlisted in the Con- 
federate army, serving as a colonel on the 
staff of General John Morgan throughout 
the entire period^ of the conflict, or until he 
was captured near Xenia. Ohio, at the time 
Morgan made his raid into that state. He 
was wounded in an engagement, but sur- 
vived for a few years, and eventually died 
of his wounds about 1868. He was buried 
in Winona. Minnesota, by the side of the col- 
onel of the First Minnesota regiment. Both 
weie Masons of high standing and Mr. Mai- 
den died at the home of his friend, the n(irth- 
ern colonel. After the death of her first hus- 
band Mrs. Maiden became the wife of Henry 
Root, and her death occurred in Quincy. Illi- 
nois, in 1893. 

The subject of this review is the only 
child of Colonel and Mrs. Maiden. He pur- 
sued his early education in the commnn 
schools of the Old Dominion and in Shef- 
field Academy in Sheffield. Connecticut. 
where he remained for two terms. Later he 
continued his studies in Lee, Massachu.setts. 
and thus gained a broad general knowledge 
as a preparation for the practical duties of 
life. He. too. joined the Confederate army, 
serving for two years an<l eight months by 
his father's side, being only twelve years of 
age when he entered the war. After its 
close he secured a posntion as brakeman on 
the Illinois Central Railroad, and was after- 
ward fireman, then conductor, and also sta- 



tion agent. For eighteen years he remained 
in railroad service, spending about five years 
in kma. While breaking on a freight train he 
became caught in a switch and had his leg 
run over by a train which necessitated the 
amputation of the member. He was station 
agent at Manson for three years, and then 
left the railroad company to engage in the 
lumber and grain business. He still con- 
ducts a lumber yard here, although he has 
retired from the grain trade. He is like- 
wise proprietor of a meat market and in both 
branches of his business is gaining good suc- 
cess. 

On the 31st of August. 1875. in Fort 
Dodge. Iowa. Mr. Maiden was united in 
marriage to Miss Lena E. Thompson, who 
was born in Wisconsin in 1857. Her mother 
is still living at Fonda, Iowa, and since the 
death of her first husband she has become 
the wife of David Stines. Mrs. Maiden had 
two brothers and one sister: Thomas, who 
is a resident of Fonda : Gilbert, who makes 
his home in Tacoma. Washington : and Mrs. 
R. Cleeberger, of Aurelia. Iowa. The mar- 
riage of Mr. and Mrs. Maiden has been 
blessed with fi\e sons, namely : Eugene, 
who is living- at home and assists his father 
in the lumber yard and meat market : Claude, 
who is a grain dealer at Rock Rapids, Iowa ; 
Earl, Lloyd' and Leslie, the three last named 
being at home and attending school in Man- 
son. 

After his marriage Mr. Maiden went to 
Dubuque, Iowa, where he acted as night op- 
erator and ticket agent for a few months, and 
then came to Manson, where he has since 
made his home. Having prospered in his 
business undertakings, he erected an elegant 
residence here, in which his family is com- 
fortably located. He attends the Methodist 
E])isco])al church. an<l fraternally is con- 



5SO 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



nected with the Independent Order of Odd 
FeUows, while in his pohtical views he is a 
stalwart Republican. Dependent upon his 
own resources at an early age, he has stead- 
ily advanced in the business world, winning 
desirable success through capable manage- 
ment, untiring industrv and honorable deal- 



THOMAS W. McCRARY. 

For almost thirty years this gentleman 
has been a resident of Calhoun county, and 
is justly numbered among her honored pio- 
neers and leading citizens. He has been 
prominently identified with her agricultural 
interests, and to-day owns and ojjerates the 
old IMcCrary homestead in Lake Creek town- 
ship. 

Mr. McCrary was born in \\'arren coun- 
ty. Illinois, on the 3d of May, 1853, a son 
of Andrew and Elizabeth (Cunningham) 
McCrary. His father was born February 
13, 1817, in South Carolina, of which state 
his father, Thomas McCrary, was also a na- 
tive, as was his mother, whose maiden name 
was Park. The grandfather, who was a 
civ"il engineer by profession, spent the great- 
er part of his life in the south, but finally 
on account of slavery he removed to Illi- 
nois. He was a strong abolitionist and in re- 
ligious views was a strict Covenanter of the 
old Scotch creed. He died in Illinois at a 
good old age, but his wife was much younger 
at the time of her death. Their family con- 
sisted of nine children, six sons and three 
daughters, who reached man and woman- 
iiood, but only three of the number are now 
living. 

Andrew McCrary. the eldest son and the 
father of our subject, learned the black- 



smith's trade when a young man, but did 
not make that occupation his life work, his 
time and attention being principally devoted 
to farming. He was a pioneer of Warren 
county, Illinois, where he made his home for 
almost a quarter of a century, and from there 
removed to Keokuk county, Iowa, in 1868. 
Purchasing land in that county, he engaged 
in its operation for fiive years, and at the end 
of that period came to Calhoun county in 
1873. Here he continued to reside until 
called to his final rest on the ist of February, 
1883. He, too, was a Co\-enanter in re- 
ligious belief, and was a stanch supjxjrter of 
the Republican party and its principles. In 
all the relations of life he was found tiiie 
to every trust reposed in him. and well 
merited the high regard in which he was uni- 
formly held. His wife, who was Ixirn in 
Illinois. Octoljer 15, 1824, still survives him 
and now makes her home in Lake City. 
They were the parents of nine chiklreu. 
whose names and dates of birth are as fol- 
lows: Sarah" J., March 14. 1845: Matthew 
R., March 4, 1847: Mary M.. May 22. 1849: 
Thomas \\'., May 3. 1853: Joseph Q., Octo- 
ber 30. 1855; Martha H., April 10, 1858; 
John B., November 9, i860: James \\'., May 
7, 1864; and Sidney V., January 24. iSAS. 
Sarah J., ^vlartha H.. James W. and Sidne\ 
V. are all now deceased. , 

Thomas \V. McCrary spent his boylioiHl 
and youth in Warren county, . Illinois, and 
was reared in much the usual manner <if 
farmer boys, early acquiring an excellent 
knowledge of agricultural jnirsuits. and jiur- 
suing his literary studies in the district 
schools near home. He came with the fam- 
ily to Iowa and in 1873 took u]) hi.s resi- 
dence in Calhoun count}-. The following 
year he and his brother, Matiliew R., i)ur- 
chasecl one hundred an<l sixtv acres o\ raw 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



55' 



land in Lake Creek township, wliicli now 
forms a part of the old homestead. Other 
tracts were later bought and sold, the boun- 
daries of the farm enclosing twO' hundred 
and forty acres at one time, and the family 
have owned as high as four hundred acres 
at one time. The old homestead, now owned 
by our subject, has been converted from a 
wild tract intO' a nice up-to-date farm. The 
land is fertile and well cultivated, is adorned 
by a beautiful grove and a good orchard, and 
everything about the place bespeaks the care- 
ful supervision of a man who thoroughly 
understands his chosen calling and is able to 
carry forward to successful completion what- 
ever he undertakes. Formerly Mr. McCrary 
gave considerable attention to the feeding of 
cattle and hogs for market, but at present 
is more interested in the dairy business, keep- 
ing about fifty cows for that purpose, mostly 
of the short-horn breed. 

On the 9th of October, 1882, Mr. Mc- 
Crarv was united in marriage with Miss 
Eugenia Hutchinson. Her parents are 
Henry H. and Clara (Gregg) Hutchinson, 
now residents of Sac City, loAva. Her fa- 
ther was born in Vermont, August 3, 1838, 
and her mother in Ohio, December 2, 1841. 
In 1858 Mr. Hutchinson came to Calhoun 
county, Iowa, being one of the pioneers of 
this reg-ion. He followed farming and also 
engaged in mercantile pursuits to some e.x- 
tent. For many years he took a very promi- 
nent and influential part in public affairs, 
and was called upon to fill some important 
official positions, including that of county 
clerk. In pulitics he is a strong Republican, 
and in religious belief is a Baptist. Mr. and 
Mrs. McCrary have three children : Earl 
A., lx)rn Novemljer 9. 1885 : Henry H., torn 
July 28, 1887; and Bess, born February 18, 
1896. 



In religious faith Mr. McCrary is a 
Methodist, while his wife is a member uf 
the Baptist church. He uses his right of 
franchise in support of the men and meas- 
ures of the Republican party, aud has most 
creditably and acceptably filled the offices of 
township clerk fi\'e )ears ; township trustee 
several years ; and justice of the peace six 
years. Fraternally he is a member of the 
Odd Fellows Lodge, No. 330, at Lake City, 
and also belongs to the Highland Nobles, 
No. 5. In years of continuous residence he 
is to-day the oldest citizen of Lake Creek 
township, and has been an important factor 
in its upbuilding and development. As one 
of the pioneers he helped to organize and 
name the township, and has alwa3's taken an 
active interest in its welfare. He has seen 
this region transformed from a vast un- 
broken prairie into one of the best agricult- 
ural counties of northwestern Iowa, and in 
the work of development and progress he has 
borne his part. His is an honorable record 
of a conscientious man, who by his upright 
life has won the confidence of all with whom 
he has come in contact, ami on the roll o-f 
Calhoun county's honored pioneers his ncune 
should be among the foremost. 



O. H.\RRY SNYDER. 

One of the representative citizens and 
prominent farmers of Twin Lakes township, 
Calhoim county, Iowa, is the gentleman 
whose name introduces this sketch. He was 
born on the 3i.st of October, 1863, in Wood- 
stock, Ulster county. New York, of which 
place his father, Edgar Snyder, was also a 
nali\e. The progenitor of the familv in 
America was Martin Snvder, who came to 



552 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



this country in 1726 with his family, con- 
sisting of thirteen sons and one daughter. 
One of his descendants, Colonel William 
Snyder, who served under General Wash- 
ington in the Revolutionary war, was the 
great-great-grandfather of our subject. The 
grandfather, \\'illiam Snyder, was an early 
settler of Woodstock, Xcav York, where he 
conducted a ta\ern for many years. Edgar 
Sn3-der, our subject's father, was a well 
known mercliant of that place and served as 
postmaster for many years. He also filled 
the office of notary public, and was a man 
of influence in his community. He died in 
August, igoi, at the age of sixty-three years, 
but his wife, wiio bore the maiden name of 
Sarah C. Croswell. is still living, and con- 
tinues to make her home in Woodstock, New 
York. Unto them were born five children, 
but one son, William, died at the age of 
fourteen years. Those living are Mrs. Net- 
tie Drake, a resident of Woodstock ; Byron 
C. a merchant of that place: O. Harry, our 
subject ; and Mrs. Lizzie Lake, a resident of 
New York city. 

In the county of his nati\-ity Mr. Sn}'der 
of this leview grew to manhood, and began 
his education in the schools of his home 
town, but later attended the New Paltz 
Academy for three years. Learning teleg- 
raphy, he followed that occupation for about 
three years, and was also a railroad operator 
for a number of years. From 1885 until 
1895 he made his home in Chicago, and from 
that city came to Calhoun county, Iowa, in 
the latter year. He purchased his present 
farm of one hundred and sixty acres in 
Twin Lakes townshi]) and also leases a tract, 
so that he now operates two hundred and 
sixty acres, about ninety acres of which is 
devoted to the raising of corn and the same 
amount to small grain, while the remainder 



is pasture and meadow land. He gives con- 
siderable attention to the raising of stock, 
and now has a good herd of seventy-five 
head of cattle, including some full-blooded 
Durhams. He is also a breeder of horses 
and owns an interest in a full-blooded Nor- 
man stallion. He has made most of the im- 
provements upon his farm, and in its opera- 
tion he is meeting with most excellent suc- 
cess. In politics Mr. Snyder is a Democrat, 
and in his religious views is liberal. Pleas- 
ant and genial in manner, he makes many 
friends, and is quite popular with all who 
know him. 



HENRY YOUNG, M. D. 

One oif the most distinguished repre- 
sentatives of the medical fraternity in Cal- 
houn county is Doctor Henry Young, who 
is practicing in Manson. His knowledge of 
the science of medicine is most comprehen- 
sive, and not only during his student days 
has he been a close reader of text-books on 
the medical science, but since his gradu- 
ation he has kept in touch with the most 
advanced thought connected with the pro- 
fession and is quick to adopt and utilize 
every improvement which he believes will 
render his labors more eflicient in the allevi- 
ation of human suffering. 

Tlie Doctor is a native of Ogle countv, 
Illinois, born June 16. 1846, and is a son of 
\\'illiam and Nancy (Long) Young, both of 
whom were natives of Maryland. In that 
state they were reared and married and in 
1840 emigrated westward to Illinois, mak- 
ing the journey overland with teams. They 
settled in Ogle county, where Mr. Young 
purchased land. In those days he did his 
trading in Chicago and lived in true frcwtier 




HENRY YOUNG, M. D. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



555 



style, for Ogle county was then a far west- 
ern district. As the years passed he added 
to his possessions and became a wealtliy 
man. leaving a handsome competence at his 
death. He passed away in 1887, when 
eig'hty-five years of age, having for some 
time survived his wife, who died in 187 1, at 
the age of fifty-two years. They were 
Dunkards in religious belief and were con- 
sistent Christian people, whose lives were a 
potent element for good in the community 
in which they made their home. In the 
family were six children : Elizabeth, the 
widow of Samuel Price, living' at Mt. Mor- 
ris, Illinois: George, who married Mary 
Wagner and resides on a farm in Ogle 
county, Illinois; Worthington, who mar- 
ried Elizabeth Wagner, and also is a farmer 
of Ogle county; Henry, the subject of this 
review; Frank, who married Nettie Glover 
and is now a druggist in Manson, Iowa ; 
and Amanda, the wife of Henry Muma, a 
farmer of Ogle county. Illinois. 

Dr. Young, of this review, pursued his 
early education in the common schools and 
later attended Mt. IMorris Seminary in Ogle 
county, Illinois, after which he became a 
student in the Xortlnvestern University, at 
Evanston. He completed the work ot the 
sophomore year there and then went to Aim 
Arbor, Michigan, where for one year he 
was a student in the medical department of 
the State University. He next matricu- 
lated in the Chicago Medical College, in 
which he was graduated with the class of 
1872. He began practice at his old home 
in Oregon, Illinois, where he remained for 
six months, hut believing lie might have 
better opportunities in the west he came to 
Manson, Iowa, in October, 1872, and has 
since resided in this city. From the begin- 
ning his practice has .steadily increased. 



both in volume and importance, and he is 
now ranked among the most prominent 
physicians of this section of the state, hav- 
ing many years since left the ranks of the 
many to- stand among the successful few. 
He is a member of the Fort Dodge Medical 
Society and of the Iowa State Medical So- 
ciety, and his research and investigation 
along- tlie line of his profession have made 
him a most skilled and capable physician. In 
addition to his practice he has dealt consid- 
erably in real estate, making judicious in- 
vesments in property as his financial re- 
sources have increased. He is examiner for 
all tlie important life insurance companies 
and for many fraternal organizations rep- 
resented in Manson. He ser\-ed for a num- 
ber of _\-ears as railroad physician for the 
Illinois Central Railroad, performing such 
service in addition to a large private prac- 
tice. 

In the year 1877 Dr. Young was united 
in marriage to Miss Jean Glover, who was? 
bom in Newfoundland, and is a daughter 
of John and Mary Glover, both of whom 
were natives of Scotland. On leaving the 
land of hills and heather they crossed the 
ocean to the new world, taking up their 
abode in Newfoundland, whence thev after- 
wfard remoA-ed to New \'ork »and suijse- 
(|uently to Calhoun county, Iowa, but Iwth 
are now deceased. Mis. ^'oung had inw 
brothers and one sister, all of whom arc yet 
living. She died, however, in August. 
1887. in southern Kansas, where she had 
gone for the benefit of her health. In Janu- 
ary. 1894. in Montro.se. Iowa, the Dixtor 
was again married, his second union being 
with Miss Etta M. Leavenworth, who was 
born in Montrose and is a daughter of C. B. 
Leavenworth, a native of Connecticut. Her 
mother was a native of New York, and Mrs. 



556 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Young has one sister, Mary E., who became 
the wife of Dr. L. C. \Vilson, of What 
Cheer, Iowa. Her father is a descendant 
of the renowned Leavenwortii family of En- 
glish lineage, who trace their ancestry from 
1626. One of her ancestors was a com- 
missioner of peace between the Indians and 
the white settlers, while some took part in 
the war of 1776. Her father was one of the 
pioneers of Iowa. He and his wife became 
residents of Lee county, Iowa, in 1856, and 
are ncnv living upon a farm there. They 
hold manljership in the Presbyterian church 
and are people of the highest respectability. 
By his first marriage Dr. Young had three 
childrai : William, born June 30, 1879, is 
deputy postmaster in the Manson post- 
otifice. Albert, lx>rn April 26, 1881, is a 
student in his sophomore year at Ames, 
Iowa, where he is pursuing a course in elec- 
trical engineering. Edna, born September 
19, 1883, is attending the high school at 
Manson. By the second marriage of Doc- 
tor Young there is one son, Henry, who was 
born December 7, 1895. Both the Doctor 
and his wife enjoy in high degree the es- 
teem of a large circle of friends, and the 
hospitality o-f the best homes oi Manson an(l 
the surrounding country is extended to 
them. They hold meinbership in the Con- 
gregational church, in which the Doctor is 
a trustee, and he also belongs to Manson 
Lodge, No. 91, K. P. In his political affili- 
ations he is a stanch Republican, and was 
honored with an election to the twenty- 
fourth and twenty-fifth assemblies. He left 
the impress of his individuality upon the 
legislation of these terms, supporting every 
movement which he believed would redound 
to the benefit of the commonwealth and as 
firmly opposed every movement which he 
believed would prove detrimental. He was 



chairman of the most important committee, 
that of appropriations, and during the first 
year of his sendee he was a member of the 
committee for the World's Fair. It was 
while he occupied a seat in the house that 
the famous Mulct law was passed and the 
Australian ballot system. The Iowa sol- 
diers' monument was also located during 
that session. Prominent in political as well 
as professional life, Doctor Young is well 
fitted for leadership and has been instru- 
mental in shaping public thought and action 
in his locality. He has served as mayor of 
Alanson and his administration was most 
acceptable because of its practical and pro- 
gressive spirit. 



AMBROSE SCHMIDT. 

-A.mong the successful farmers of Cal- 
houn county who through their own unaide<l 
efforts have met with success and have ac- 
quired a fine property is numbered Ambrose 
Schmidt, of Garfield township. His early 
h(ime was on the other side of tlie .Atlantic, 
for he was born in Austria, May 24, 1843, 
and is a son of Joseph and Christina (Hol- 
ler) Schmidt, who were born hi the same lo~ 
cality and there s])ent their entire li\-es, the 
mother dxing when about forty-six years of 
age, and the father when about seventy-two. 
He followed farming as a life work. Of their 
ten children seven are still living. 

.-\mbrose Schmidt was reared and edu- 
cated in his nati\e land and remaintxl there 
until thirty years of age. On coming to this 
country at that time he settled in Polk coun- 
ty, Iowa, where he bought one hundred 
and sixty acres of land and engaged in 
its operation until his removal tt) Cal- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



557 



houn county in 1892. Here lie purchased' 
an improved farm of two liundred and 
forty acres in Garfield township, and 
has since bought other land until he now 
owns five hundred and seventy acres in that 
township. He raises from one hundred and 
fifty to one hundred and eighty acres of corn 
and the same amount of small grain, the re- 
mainder of his property b€ing meadow and 
pasture land. He gives considerable atten- 
tion to the raising of stock and keeps from 
one hundred and seventy-five to two hundred 
head of cattle, his specialty being short- 
horns. 
• On the 6th of September, 1875, '^^^■ 
Schmidt was united in marriage with Miss 
Anna Bader, who was born in Wisconsin, 
January 11, 1859. and is a daughter of 
Thomas and Elizabeth (Berkey) Bader, 
both natives of Switzerland. By this union 
have been born nine children, namely: 
Thomas, John, William, Ambrose, Lewis, 
Edward, Minnie, Fred and Frank. The 
family are communicants of the German 
Catholic church, and the three oldest sons 
are connected with the Independent Order of 
Odd Fellows. Thomas and John are also 
members of the Modern Woodmen of Amer- 
ica, and the Mutual Benefit Association, and 
Thomas belongs to the Rebekah lodge of 
Odil Fellows. Politically the father and 
sons are identified with the Democratic 
party. 

On first coming to the new world Mr. 
Schmidt worked at making railroad ties at 
a dollar and a half per day, and Ijeing eco- 
nomical he managed to save considera1)le 
money during the two years he was thus 
employed, which enabled iiim to secure a 
start in life. He has always made the most 
of his opportunities, and by hard work and 
indiimitablc perseverance he has steadily 



prospered and is to-day one of the most ex- 
tensive and successful farmers of his com- 
munity. \\'ith the assistance of his sons he 
operates all his land, and the well-tilled 
fields are made to yield a golden tribute in 
return for the care and labor bestowed upon 
them. 



T. H. SEBERN. 



The wide plains of Iowa afford ample 
opijortunity for the raising of stock, and the 
business of dealing in horses and cattle 
therefore follows as a logical result. Air. 
Sebern is a well known representative of 
this line of commercial activity, carrying on 
his pursuit at Lake City, Iowa. He was 
born near Indianapolis, Marion county, In- 
diana, February 14, 1855, his parents being 
Harry P. and Susan (0"Neil) Sebern, the 
former a native of Kentucky and the latter 
of Indiana. They were married in the Hoo- 
sier state and emigrated westward, taking up 
their residence in Benton county, Iowa, near 
Cedar Rapids, in 1865. The father engaged 
m farming until 1876, when he came with 
his family to this section of the state, set- 
tling on the dividing line between Carroll 
and Calhoun counties. He followed farm- 
ing in Calhoun township until his death, 
which occurred April 25, 1895, at the age of 
seventy-three years. Flis wife died in 1869 
at the age of fifty-two years. They became 
the parents of seven children : William, who 
died in Indiana ; J. J., a resident of Manson ; 
Mary, the wife of S. C. Smok, of Des 
Moines: Alice, who married James Hinkley, 
of Carrollton, Iowa; Sarah, who became the 
wife of William Noble and died in Cali- 
fornia; T. H., of this review: and Eliza- 
beth, who married Frank SeClair, who is 
deputy county clerk of Carroll, Iowa. 



558 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



In the public schools of Vinton, Iowa. 
Mr. Sebern, of this review, pursued his ed- 
ucation, after which he engaged in farming 
until 1890, then turning his attention to the 
stock business at Lake City. He has 
since dealt extensively in buying and selling 
horses, shipping stock to the city markets. 
In this enterprise he is in partnership with 
J. \V. Wilson, and his careful management 
and excellent judgment concerning stock, ac- 
companied with his enterprise, brings to him 
excellent success. 

In 1878 Mr. Sebern was united in mar- 
riage to Miss Martha McXaish, of Carroll 
county, and unto them have been born two 
children, namely: R. C, who is now a med- 
ical student in Iowa City; Bell M., who 
married Mr. Louderbaugh, who is agent for 
the Oiicago & Northwestern Railway Com- 
pany at Odebolt. 

Mr. Sebern is connected with the Knights 
cf Pythian fraternity. He has a wide ac- 
quaintance in this portion of the country and 
many friends esteem him highly for his 
genial manner and his genuine worth. 



J. C. SANDY. 

For almost half a century this gentle- 
man lias been a resident of Iowa, and has 
made his home in Calhoun countv since 
May, 1876, at which time he settled on his 
present farm on section 35. Calhoun town- 
ship. Here he is successfully engaged in 
general farming, owning and operating a 
well improved and valuable tract of one hun- 
dred and sixty acres. 

Mr.- Sandy was born in Owen county. 
Indiana, on the 5th of September, 1835, and 
is a son of Henrv G. Sandv. also a native 



of the Hodsier state, his birth having oc- 
curred in Washington county in 1816. Our 
subject's paternal grandfather, Jereniiali 
Sandy, was a native of North Carolina, and 
one of the the first settlers of Indiana. He 
was a soldier of the war of 181 2. On 
reaching manhood Henry G. Sandy was 
united in marriage with Miss Susannah Mc- 
Carty, who was born in Kentucky of Scotch 
parentage, and they continued to make their 
home in Indiana until after the birth of eight 
of their children, the ninth and youngest of 
the family Ijeing born in Iowa after the re- 
moval of the parents to this state in 1854. 
They located in Warren county. Iowa, where 
the father opened up and improved a farm, 
making it his home throughout the remain- 
der of his life. He died, however, in St. 
Louis, Missouri, while visiting a son in that 
city in 1863. He followed agricultural pur- 
suits throughout life, and meeting with ex- 
cellent success he became owner of about 
eleven hundred acres of land in "this state. 
His wife survived him a few years, passing 
away in 1869. 

Reared in Indiana. J. C. Sandy was ])rin~ 
cipally educated in the common schcxals of 
that state, though he afterward attended the 
low-a State LTniversity for one term. As a 
young man he came to Iowa in 1S53 and 
aided his father in the arduous task of trans- 
forming the wild land into a good farm. He 
assisted in splitting rails and fencing the 
home farm in W'arren county, and broke 
many acres of virgin soil, remaining with 
his father until his marriage. 

On the 2 1 St of February, 1856. in War- 
ren county, Iowa, Mr. Sandy wedded Miss 
Atha Linda Goss, who was born in Morgan 
coimty. Indiana, and was sixteen years of 
age on the removal of the family from that 
countx' to Warren countv. Iowa, in 18^1. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



559 



Her fatlier, John Goss. was one of tlie pio- 
neers of that locality. Mr. and Mrs. Sandy 
now have a family of ten children, seven 
sons and three daughters, namely: John N., 
now a resident of Idaho; Henry Franklin, 
who is married and is engaged in farining 
in Nebraska ; Ira G., a resident of Lake City, 
Iowa; Mary C, wife of Frank Arnold, of 
Nebraska ; Ross, superintendent of schools 
of Calhoun county and a resident of Rock- 
well City : Benjamin B., who is preparing 
himself for the medical profession at Iowa 
City; James FI., who is married and assists 
in the operation of the home farm ; D. Lew- 
is, a teacher of Farnhamville : Anna May, 
wife of Arthur Johnson, a merchant of 
Rockwell City ; and Addie Grace, a teacher 
of this county. 

For a few years after his marriage Mr. 
Sandy engaged in farming on rented land 
and then bought a place in Marion county, 
which he operated until 1876, when he sold 
out and came to Calhoun county, purchas- 
ing his present farm of one hundred and 
sixty acres on section 35, Calhoun town- 
ship, but the land was still unbroken and 
unfenced. He at once began its improve- 
ment and cultivation, and some years later 
built a neat and substantial residence, also 
a good barn and convenient outbuildings. 
He raises a good grade of stock and is ac- 
counted one of the most thorough and skill- 
ful agriculturists of his community. 

Mr. Sandy became identified with the 
Republican party on its organization, and 
has supported all of its presidential candi- 
dates, casting his first ballot fo^r John C. 
Fremont in 1856. He has never sought or 
cared for political honors, preferring to give 
his undivided attention to his business in- 
terests. He has always been a stanch friend 
of education and for sixteen years most effi- 



ciently served as school director, doing all 
in his power to secure the best teachers and 
advance the educational welfare of his com- 
nnmity. .\s a pioneer of Iowa he has wit- 
nessed almost its entire growth and develop- 
ment. During early days he has seen great 
herds of deer and bufYaloes, as well as all 
kinds of feathered game, but they have long 
since disappeared, and where once was wild 
unljroken prairie there are now fine farms 
and beautiful homes. 



HENRY A. RINGGENBERG. • 

Henry A. Ringgenberg, one of the most 
enterprising and successful agriculturists of 
Garfield township, is the owner of a fine 
farm of two hundred and forty acres and his 
management of the place is marked by the 
scientific knowledge and skill which charac- 
terize the modern farmer. 

Mr. Ringgenberg is a native of Illinois, 
born in Henry county, August 15, 1866, and 
is a son of Peter and Annia (Imboden) 
Ringgenberg. The mother was born in Ger- 
many in 1S45, while the father was born in 
Ohio, the same year, of German descent, 
his parents, Peter and Eliza Ringgenberg, 
havmg come to this country from the father- 
land. On their emigration to America they 
first settled in Ohio, and from there remo'ved 
to Henry county, Illinois, and later to Polk 
county, Iowa, where our subject's grand- 
•father died at a good old age. He was a 
hard working man and a successful farmer. 
In his family were fourteen chiklren, all of 
whom reached man and womanhood, and 
with one exception all are- still living and 
are residents oi Polk county, Iowa, where 



560 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



the}- have made their hume for many 
years. 

Throughout his active business Hfe Peter 
Ringgenberg, Jr., the father of our subject, 
has followed general farming. At an early 
day he came to Iowa and has since made 
his home in Polk county, being numbered 
among its pioneers and' honored citizens. 
Prosperity has attended his well directed 
efforts, and he is to-day the owner of about 
eight hundred and twenty acres of valuable 
farm land in Polk county. In his political 
affiliations he is a Democrat. Both he and 
his wife are acti\e members of the German 
Reformed church, and are highly respected 
and esteemed by all wlio know them. Of 
the thirteen children born tq them twelve 
are still living, namely : Henry A., Rol>ert A., 
-William C, John A., Edward E., Charles, 
Albert, Frank O., David, Ered, Rosetta and 
Arthur. Henry, Robert, Edward and Will- 
iam are quite e.xtensively engaged in farm- 
ing, and together own alxjut seven hundred 
and thirty-five acres of land. 

Our subject was reared and educated in 
Polk county, Iowa, and has made farming 
his life occupation. Coming to Calhoun 
county in 1892, he located on the farm in 
Garfield township where he now resides, he 
and his brother Robert having purchased 
three hundred and si.xt\- acres of landl to- 
gether in that locality. Of that tract he now 
owns two hundred and forty acres, and has 
added to it forty acres more. It was former- 
ly the old Joe Strain farm, and is one of the 
most desirable places in the township. Mr. 
Ringgenberg hasmade most of the improve- 
ment's, and the well tilled fields and neat and 
thrifty appearance of the place testify to his 
careful supervision and show conclusively 
that he thoroughly understands the vocation 



which he now follows. He raises from 
seventy-five to ninety-five acres of corn, and 
a like amount of small grain, besides hay. 
He keeps about fifteen head of horses and 
forty head of cattle of the shorthorn and 
Durham breeds, and in all his undertakings 
is meeting with well deserved success. 

On the 15th of February, 1891, ]\Ir. 
Ringgenberg was united in marriage with 
Miss Sophia Enabinat, who was born in 
Polk county, Iowa, September 28, 1871. Her 
father, Christ Enabinat, is now engaged in 
the hardware and furniture business in 
Meserva, Cerro Gordo county, Iowa, anil 
is also a land owner. Mr. and Mrs. Ring- 
genberg have six children, namely: Edward, 
Ora Dell, Elmer E., Roy R., Dewey and 
Elgin F. 

Mr. Ringgenberg attends the Presby- 
terian church and is a member of the Odd 
Fellows Lodge, No. 336, at Lytton. In iiis 
political affiliations he is a Democrat. He 
is one of the best known farmers in his 
townsliip to-day, and is highl\- respected and 
esteemed wherever known. 



HENRY RIN. 



.'Vmong those of fijreign birth who have 
become residents of Calhoun county antl 
here have met with most e.xcellent success in 
their l)usiness undertakings is numhered the 
gentleman wlmse name intrixluces this 
.sketch. He was born in Germany on the 
i6th of July, 1849, son of Henry and Lou- 
isa (Kinman) Ri.x. also natives of that 
country. When our subject was three years 
of age the family emigrated to America, 
and first located in that part of Cook county, 
Illinois, now within the city limits of Chi- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



561 



cago. After spending- ten years in that lo- 
cality they came to Iowa and settled in Ce- 
dar connty. where the parents continued to 
make their home until called to the world 
beyond. 

Mr. Rix. of this review, remained with 
his father during his minority, giving him 
the benefit of his lalx)rs and attending the 
local schools when his services were not 
needed at home. He was married on the 
17th of October. 1871, the lady of his choice 
being Miss Minnie. Dibner, who was also 
born in Germany, August 17, 185 1. They 
have become the parents of ten children, of 
whom two are now deceased. Mary died 
in infancy; and Alwin, born March 28, 
1882. died March 3. 1897. Those still liv- 
ing are as follows : Louisa, lx>rn January 
24, 1874, is now the wife of Henry Dittman, 
of Garfield township, this county ; Louis H., 
born May 24, 1875, is at home; Amanda, 
born May 19, 1878, is the wife of Herman 
Wolf, who lives on our subject's farm in 
this county; Charlie, born May 28, 1880, 
Addie born August 12, 1884. Emil, born 
May I. 1886. Liddie, born July i, 1888, 
Henry, born October 25, 1890, and Augus- 
ta, horn February 28, 1893, are all at home. 
The children have all been given good com- 
mon school advantages, and the family is 
one of which any parents luight well be 
proud. 

'J'wo years after his marriage Mr. Ri.x 
removed to Calhoun county, and settled on 
a tract of land in Williams county, to which 
he subsequently secured a clear title. As 
time i)asscd he placed acre after acre un- 
der the ])lnw until he had a well cultivated 
farm, and he has erected thereon a good set 
of farm buildings, so that he now has one 
of the best improved and most desirable 



farms of its size in the county. It consists 
of four hundred and eighty acres of land un- 
der a high state of cultivation. Mr. Rix 
is a director of the German Farmers Mutual 
Insurance Company, and is quite actively 
interested in the raising of stock, keeping a 
good grade of Englishshire horses, Dur- 
ham cattle and Poland China hogs. 

Both Mr. and Mrs. Rix are members 
of the German Lutheran church of Will- 
iams township and are people of the high- 
est respectability, having a large circle of 
friends and acquaintances who esteem them 
highly for their sterling worth. For four 
years Mr. Rix served as township assessor, 
and has also served his fellow citizens as a 
member of the school board and as township 
trustee. 

■> » » 

WILLIAM D. PITTMAN. 

William D. Pittman, one of tlie most 
progressive and successful agriculturists of 
Calhoun township, is the owner Oif an ex- 
cellent farm of four hundred acres, con- 
veniently located on section 16, within a mile 
of Lake City. His methods of farm man- 
agement show scientific knowledge combined 
with sound practical judgment and good 
business ability, and the results have been 
most satisfactory. 

Mr. Pittman is a native of Illinois, his 
liirth having occurred in Piatt county, that 
state, July 29, 1865. His father, John 15. 
Pittman, was born in Butler county, Ohio, 
September 19, 1833, and is a son of George 
Pittman. who was a native of New Jersey 
and at an early day removed to Ohio with 
his father, John Pittman, locating in War- 
ren countv, where the latter followed farm- 



562 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ing throughout the remainder of liis Hfe. 
He was a soldier of the war of 1812. There 
George Pittman grew to manhood, and in 
Butler county, Ohio, was united in marriage 
with Miss Eliza Baker, a native of that 
county. After farming in Butler county for 
some years he removed to Darke county, tlie 
same state, and opened up a farm. 

In the county of his nativity John B. 
Pittman was reared and educated, and re- 
mained with his father until grown. He 
was there married on the 6th of October, 
1852, to Miss Loretta Bake, who was also 
born in the Buckeye state, and they became 
the parents of three children, but their only 
daughter, Mary J., died at the age of three 
years. Their sons were William D., of this 
review; and J. W., also a farmer of Cal- 
houn county. The father continued his resi- 
dence in Ohio until the fall of 1856, when 
he removed to Illinois, and located in Piatt 
county, where he followed farming for nine- 
teen years. He next made his home in 
Champaign county, that state, for twenty- 
one years, his time and attention being de- 
voted to agricultural pursuits. He then 
came to Calhoun county. Iowa, and is now 
living a retired life, enjoying a well earned 
rest, free from the cares and responsibilities 
of business affairs. He has become quite 
well known and is honored and respected 
by all who have the pleasure of his accjuaint- 
ance. His estimable wife died in Illinois, 
October 29, 1895. 

William D. Pittman passed his boyhood 
and youth in Piatt and Champaign counties, 
Illinois, and received a good practical edu- 
cation in the common schoofs. Leaving the 
jjarental roof at tlie age of seventeen years 
he began life for himself as a farmer upon 
rented land, and was thus employed for sev- 



eral years. He was married in Champaign 
county, November 9, 1887, to Miss Nettie E. 
Warner, a native of that county, and a 
daughter of Jeremiah Warner, who was 
born in Ohio, and became one of the pion- 
eers of Champaign county, Illinois. Lnto 
our subject and his wife have been born two 
sons. Earl W. and Harry C, and they also 
have an adopted child, Velma Hudson, the 
daughter of Mrs. Pittman's sister. 

Air. and ]\Irs. Pittman began their do- 
mestic life upon a farm in Champaign coun- 
ty, Illinois, he having purchased a tract of 
land near Mahomet, which he operated for 
six years and then sold in 1892. It was 
during that year that he bought one hundred 
and sixty acres of land in Calhoun township, 
Calhoun county, Iowa, but continued his res- 
idence in Illinois until 1895, when he located 
upon his land in the Hawkeye state. He has 
since made many improvements upon this 
place and has added to it until he has a very 
valuable fann of foiir hundred acres under 
a high state of cultivation. In connection 
with general farming he has carried on stock 
raising quite extensively for se\eral years. 
He is well known as a breeder of pure 
blooded shire horses, and to-day owns seven 
fine animals of that bred. In all, he has 
twenty-five head of high grade horses. He 
commenced life for himself at the bottom of 
the ladder, but has gradually worked his 
way upward by his own industry, persever- 
ance and good management, anil is to-day 
one of the most substantial men of his com- 
munity and the owner of a large and valu- 
able farm, Mr. Pittman votes the Repub- 
lican ticket, believing the principles' of that 
party best calculated to promote general 
])rosperity, and both he and his wife are 
members of the Baptist church of Lake City, 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



56J 



while his father holds membership in the 
Methodist Episcopal church. The family is 
one of prominence in Calhoun township. 



JOHX WILLIAM RIEBOCK. 

John William Riebock, now deceased, 
was for many years an enterprising fanner 
of this section of Iowa, who hoping to bet- 
ter his financial condition in the new w^orld, 
left his home in Germany and crossed the 
Atlantic to America. He was born in the 
town of Breeze, in the kingdom of Han- 
over, Germany, April 6, 1849, ^ son of John 
Georeham William and Katherine (Fean) 
Riebock, who were also natives of the same 
country. They were married in the pri;>vince 
of Hanover and the father engaged in farm- 
ing near the town of Breeze in which lo- 
cality he and his wife spent their remaining 
days. Both have now passed away. The)- 
were the parents of four children ; August, 
who is living on the old homestead in Breeze. 
Elizabeth, the wife of John Grutzmacher; 
John William, the subject of this review ; 
and August, who resided in Sadorf. Ger- 
many, and is now deceased. 

John W'illiam Rielxock remained at home 
until nineteen years of age, working in the 
fields through the summer months, while in 
the winter he pursued his education. To his 
father he gave the benefit of his services un- 
til nineteen years of age when, thinking that 
he might profit by 1>etter opportunities in 
the L'nited States he resolved to seek a home 
and fortune in this land. .Accordingly he 
made his way alone to Chicago, Illinois, and 
there he worked for three years during the 
summer months, striving not only to gain 

31 



a livelihood but also to acquire a knowledge 
of the English language, with w'hich he was 
entirely unacquainted at the time of his emi- 
gration. He afterward spent one year amid 
the Black Hills of Dakota, prospecting and 
mining, andl about 1873 he came to Calhoun 
count}-, where with the capital he had ac- 
quired through his own labors he purchased 
a tract of land in Sherman township. There 
he began- farming and stock-raising and 
carefully conducted his labors. He placed 
his land under a high state of cultivation 
and added all modern accessories to his 
farm which comprises three hundred and 
twenty acres of valuable land constituting: 
the east half of section 15. It is pleasantly 
located three miles from Manson. The 
land has been drained by tiling, substantial 
and commodious farn-i Ijuildings have been 
erected and there is a splendid grove and all 
modern equipments upon the place. Mr. 
Riel)ock continued his active farming oper- 
ations until his death and was classed among 
the practical and progressive agriculturists 
of the community. 

On the 17th of November, 1880. Mr. 
Riebock was united in marriage to Miss. 
March Klocke, the wedding taking place in 
Manson. The lady is a daughter of John T.. 
and Caroline ( Jentz) Klocke, both of whom; 
were natives^ of Germany, but her father- 
folltjwed farming in Buena \'ista county.. 
Both have now passed away and her brother- 
resides on the oldi homestead farm in that 
county, Mrs. Rielxick was Ixn-n Julv lO, 
1863, in W"\]\ county, Illinois, and there re- 
sided until twelve years of age. Unto Mr. 
and Mrs. Riebock were born three children: 
Henry, iKirn April 16, 1886: Lizzie, born 
.\pril 2G. 1890, and .\nna, Ix)rn October 30, 
1895. 



564 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



It was on the 6th of Decanber, 1898, 
that ^Ir. Riebock was called to his final rest, 
and many friends were left to mourn his 
loss. In his political at^liations he was a 
Democrat and was many times called to 
serve in township offices. He held member- 
ship in the German Lutheran church to 
Avhich his family also belong. His is the 
record of a well spent life. Coming to this 
country empty handed he has steadily 
worked his way upward and his enterprise 
and persistency of purpose enabled him to 
achieve success and leave to his family a 
comfortable competence. In addition to the 
farm he owned a fine residence in Pomeroy 
which Mrs. Riebock and her children now 
occupy. She is an estimable lady, possessed 
of good business qualifications, and well 
manages her property interests. 



C. R. NICHOLSON. 

In viewing the mass of mankind in the 
A-aried occupations of life, the conclusion is 
forced upon the observer that in the vast 
majority of cases men have sought employ- 
ment not in the line of their peculiar fitness 
but in those fields where caprice or circum- 
stances have placed them, thus explaining 
the reason of the failure of ninety-five per 
cent.' of those who enter commercial and pro- 
fessional circles. In a few cases it seems 
that men with a peculiar fitness for a certain 
line have taken it up. and marked success 
has followed. Such is the fact in the case 
of the subject of this biography. He is 
actively and successfully engaged in the real 
estate business, handling not only property 
in Iowa but also in Texas and his straight- 



forward business methods commend him to 
the confidence and therefore to the patron- 
age of all. 

Mr. C. R. Nicholson was born in Cass 
coauity, Michigan, October 11, 1854, and is a 
son of William J. Nicholson, a native of 
Urbana, Ohio. Leaving the Buckeye state 
he removed to Michigan where he was united 
in marriage to Elizabeth Zane, a native of 
that state. The father of our subject en- 
gaged in farming in Michigan for a number 
of years and in 1864 came to Calhoun coun- 
ty, Iowa, locating in Jackson township, 
where he engaged in farming. He made liis 
home in that locality until 1890 when he re- 
moved to Sherman township, where he 
and his wife are still living. He gave 
his political support to the Democracy 
until Grover Cleveland was elected to the 
presidency, when he joined the ranks of the 
Republican party, which he still serves. He 
is a man of sterling worth, whose upright 
life has gained for him the warm regard of 
all with whom lie has been associated. In 
his family are six children: C. R., of this 
re\-iew ; W. E., who is married and lives in 
Latcher, South Dakota; J. A., who is mar- 
ried am! makes his h(ime in. Oskalooosa, 
Iowa; L. H., who is married and is residing 
in Clinton, Iowa; I\lay, the wife of I. J. 
Brennan of Freeport, Illinois, and A. L., 
who married ^Mxrtle Feek, and resides in 
Manson. 

C. R. Nicholson was a lad of ten years 
when lie accompanied his parents to' Calhoun 
ctiuntv and his education, which was begim 
in Michigan, was continued in the district 
schools of Jackson township. L;iter he be- 
came a student in the high school of Lake 
City and was graduated with the class of 
1871. Ambitious to acquire still broader 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



565 



knowledge lie matriculated in the Iowa State 
Agricultural College at Ames, where he re- 
mained! for a year. He then engaged in 
teaching school in Calhoun county, fallow- 
ing that pursuit for fourteen terms, his 
ability being clearly shown by the readiness 
and facility with which he imparted to others 
the knowledge which he had acquired. z\fter 
liis- marriage which occurred in 1877, he 
turned his attention to the furniture busi- 
ness, organizling the Nicholson Furniture 
Company, and conducted the store success- 
fully until 1884, when he began dealing in 
real estate, an enterprise which still claim his 
attention. He is also engaged in the oil 
business, having an interest in the wells at 
Beaumont, Texas, the main office of the 
company, owning these wells being located 
in Houston, Texas. He has negotiated 
many important real estate transactions and 
his efforts have contributed in a large meas- 
ure to the improvement and upbuilding of 
this section of the state. 

On the 23rd of October, 1877, in Man- 
son, Mr. Nicholson was united in marriage 
to Miss Eva V. Skinner, who was Ixjrn in 
Summit county, Ohio, August 11, 1856, a 
daughter of J. D. and Malis.sa (Johnson) 
Skinner, both of whom jvere natives of 
Ohio, in which state the}' were married and 
began their domestic life. The father en- 
gaged in the operation of a canalboat and 
also devoted his attention to farming. In 
1869 he came to Iowa, settling in Sherman 
township. Calhoun county, where he re- 
sumed the work of the farm and he is still 
living ujxjn the old homestead, but his wife 
passed away May 12, 1885. In politics he is 
a Republican and has held all of the town- 
ship offices. Socially he is connected with 
the Masonic fraternity. Unto Mr. and Mrs. 
Skinner were lx>rn four children, the eldest 



l>eing Eva V., the wife of our subject. The 
others are Addie M., the wife of T. B. La- 
Moyne, a resident of Manson; George W'., 
who married Lucy Clark and resides in At- 
kinson, [Minnesota ; and Newton, who mar- 
ried Mattie Stafford and is living in Gal- 
veston, Texas. 

Mr. Nicholson is not only prominent 
as a representative of the real estate inter- 
ests but is also well known in political and 
social circles. He is a prominent Mason, be- 
longing to Morning Light Lodge, No. 
334, F. & A. M., also the Manson Chapter 
No. 131, R. A. M., and Evening Star lodge. 
No. 196, O. E. S. He is likewise associated 
with the Otld Fellows fraternity and Temple 
Lodge, No. 195, K. P. His political support 
is given the Republican party and he has 
served as justice of the peace, while for two 
years he has been mayor of ]\Ianson and for 
twelve years has been secretary of the school 
board. His labors on behalf of the city have 
been discerningly directed along the lines of 
the greatest good to the greatest number. As 
a public official he has been loyal, ever true 
and keenly alive to the best interests of the 
community and to the faithful discharge of 
his duties. 



EDWARD L. GREGORY. 

Edward Gregory, who is familiarlj'- 
called Ed. by his numerous friends in Cal- 
houn county, has l^een a resident of this sec- 
tion of the state since 1876 and now makes 
his home on section 13. Elm Grove town- 
ship, where he is successfully engaged in 
general farming. lie is a native of the Em- 
pire state, his birth having occurred in 
-America's metropolis on the 31st of Janu- 
ar_\-, 1848. He was only aljout six; \ears 



566 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of age when he became a resident of \\'iscon- 
sin, locating there in Grant county. He ob- 
tained his education in the common schools 
snd in an acadejuy and was thus well fitted 
for the practical and responsible duties of 
life. He was only sixteen years of age when, 
on the 1 6th of August, 1864, he joined Com- 
panj- H, of the 43rd \\'isconsin Infantry. 
This regiment was attached to the army of 
the Tennessee in which he served until the 
close of the war, participating in the battles 
of Johnsonville, Xashville and a number of 
skirmishes. He was never ill or wounded 
and was always found at his post of duty, 
whether on the picket line or the firing line. 
At length he was honorably discharged in 
Milwaukee in July, 1865, and with a credita- 
ble military record returned to his home. 
His valor and Ijravery were equal to that of 
many a veteran of twice his years. He re- 
mained in Wisconsin until 1873 when he 
came to Iowa, settling first in Sac count}- 
^^■here he remained for three years, during 
Avhich time he engaged in teaching school 
for two tenns. In 1876 he came to Calhoun 
count}- where he began . working by the 
month as a farm hand, being thus employed 
for se\-eral years, when with the capital he 
had acquired through his industry and econ- 
omy, he was enabled to purchase his first 
eighty acres of land in 1881. With deter- 
mined purjjose and marked energy he Ijegan 
the development of his farm and in the 
course (if time richly culli\'ated fields were 
seen in the place of the wild prairie. Suc- 
cess attended his efforts and as he increased 
his financial resources he made additional 
purchases imtil his farm now comprises two 
hundred acres of valuable land, well adapted 
to the raising- of grain. His home is a beau- 
tiful and commodious residence in the rear 
of which stand good barns and substantial 



outbuildings that in turn are surrounded by 
well tilled fields. Fruit trees also yield their 
products in season and many shade trees 
adorn the place, protecting the home froni 
the hot rays of the summer sun. 

After resitling in Iowa for a time, yir. 
Gregory returned to Wisconsin antl was 
there united in marriage in Grant county on 
the 9th of July. 1884. to ]\Iiss Maggie Lewis, 
a native of that state, where she was reared 
and educated. She is a graduate of the State 
Normal school and was a competent teacher 
in Wisconsin for a number of years, after 
which she taught successfully in Calhoun 
county for several years. Thev ha\'e a very 
pleasant home in Elm Grove township and 
enjoy the warm regard of many friends and 
neighbors. Mr. Gregory is a Republican, 
lia\'ing supported the party since casting his 
first presidential vote for General U. S. 
Grant in 1872. He keeps well informed on 
the issues of the day and does all in his pow- 
er to promote the growth and insure the suc- 
cess of the Republican ])arty. He has been 
a delegate to both countv and state conven- 
tions and aided in nominating Cummings for 
governor in 1901. His supixirt is given the 
part}' because of a firm belief in its prin- 
ciples and not from any desire for official 
reward for his ser\ices. He has served as 
a member of the school board of which he 
is now secretary, but otherwise has held no 
])olitical office. For years he liad been iden- 
tiefid with the Farmer's Mutual Insurance 
Company, in which he has long served as a 
director. He aided in its organization and 
has been an active factor in maintaining the 
existence of this enterprise wliich has been 
of marked benefit to the people of the com- 
munity. Both he and his wife are members 
of the Lake City Presbyterian church, and 
he belongs to Lake City Lodge, Xo. 320. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



567 



I. O. O. F. Calhoun is one of the later 
settled counties of Iowa, but marked pro- 
gress has been made along al! lines of ma- 
terial activity and of intellectual and moral 
development, so' that the position of the 
county is now a permanent one in the com- 
monwealth. To this end Air. Gregory has 
contributed and as a public spirited and pro- 
gressive citizen he has co-operated in many 
measures for the public good. He and his 
estimable wile enjoy in high degree the re- 
spect and esteem of all who. know them and 
well do thev deserve mention in this volume. 



E. A. TOXES, M. D. 

The world instinctively pays deference to 
the man whose success is worthily achieved, 
whose efforts in the electrical world of busi- 
ness has enabled him to meet competition 
while his ability has gained for him respect, 
admiration and prosperity. Dr. Jones is 
one of the skilled physicians of Calhoun 
countv and in his chosen calling- he has long 
since left the ranks of mediocrity to stand 
among the most successful and capable phy- 
sicians and surgeons of the locality, although 
he is yet a young man. 

.\ native of Iowa, he was born in Wau- 
kon, January 18, 1870, a son of W'illiam J. 
and Susan R. (Smith) Jones, the former a 
native of Wales and the latter of Indiana. 
He was the youngest of the family of thir- 
teen children born to Isaac O. Jones and 
wife, who came to America when their son 
William was only four years of age, leav- 
ing the little rock-ribbed country which was 
their native land in 1S41. They settled in 
Kenosha, Wisconsin, where they spent their 
remaining days and the grandfather of the 



Doctor followed farming, although he was 
also a car])enter Ijy trade. William J. Jones 
was reared in \\'isconsin and after arriving 
at years of maturity he married Susan R. 
Smith, viho was descended from ancestors 
who came over in the IMayflower. Her 
grandfather was a soldier in the Revolu- 
tionary war and about the time Daniel Boone 
was carrying on his exploration in Kentucky 
he went to th.at state, where Reuben Smith, 
the father of Mrs. Jones, was born. He 
afterward became a resident of Indiana, and 
in 1830 he came to Iowa, locating in Alla- 
makee county before the land was developed 
and even placed upon the market. He 
marked out and settled upon twenty-five 
hundred acres of land, which he subsequent- 
ly purchased when it was sur\-eyed by the 
government and offered for sale. He was 
accidentally shot in 1882, when he was 
eighty-four years of age. Mr. and Mrs. 
William J. Jones became residents of Wau- 
kon, Iowa, and when our subject was only 
three years old they removed tO' Siou.x Falls, 
South Dakota. Although the Doctor was 
so young he has a very distinct remembrance 
of many e\'ents and of conditions of those 
times. The father followed fanning in 
South Dakota and later tin-ned his attention 
ti) merchandising, while sul^sequently he con- 
ducted a grain elevator. .About 1894 he 
retired from active l)usiness. He now owns 
about fifteen hundred acres of land and his 
])roperty returns to him a good income. In 
his familv were fi\'e children, of whom four 
are still living, namely: the Doctor; E. D., 
a lawyer of Sioux Falls, South ■ Dakota; 
Lova L.. who is connected with the .-\rt In- 
stitute of Chicago: and Frank W., who is 
a graduate of the State L'niversity of South 
Dakota, and is now at home with his father. 
Dr. Tones, whose name introduces this 



568 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



review, having obtained his elementary edu- 
cation in the public schools, at the age of 
sixteen entered the State Normal school at 
Madison, South Dakota, where he remained 
for two years, when he matriculated in the 
State Agricultural College, at Brooking, 
taking the scientific course through two 
3-ears. Later he became a student in the 
Metropolitan Business College, of Sioux 
City. Iowa, .after which he entered upon the 
study of medicine in the Kentucky School 
of Medicine, at the same time taking the lit- 
erary course in the Western L'niversity of 
Tennessee. In the fctrmer institution he won 
the degree of Bachelor of Pliilosophy and 
was graduated in 1897. He was also 
graduated in the Medical College, Univer- 
sity of Louisville with the degree of ]\Iedi- 
cal Doctor. March 27, 1898, but entered the 
State Hospital for the Insane at Independ- 
ence. Iowa, between his first and second year 
in college, and after remaining there for fif- 
teen months returned and finished his 
course. 

In 1898 the Doctor went to South Da- 
kota, where he was engaged in practice for 
nine months and then removed to Fort 
Dodge, where he remained for a short time, 
coming to Lake City in the fall of 1899. 
Here he has since engaged in practice and 
is deeply interested in everything that tends 
to furnish man with a key to the mystery 
which we call life. He is an earnest and dis- 
criminating student, is thoroughly informed 
concerning the most advanced methods of 
the day and lias already gained a liberal and 
lucrative patronage. 

In July, 1899, the Doctor was married 
to ]^Iiss ^lary M. Stahl, of Pipestone. IMin- 
nesota. who for several years was a most 
successful teacher in some of the highest ed- 
ucational institutions of \\'isconsin and ]\Iin- 



nesota. But one child was born to them, 
Elmer Everett, who died at the age of six 
months and twenty-three days. Socially the 
Doctor is connected with the Knights of 
P\"thias fraternity and with the Knights of 
the Maccabees. His review of the political 
questions and issues of the day had caused 
him to give his support to the men and meas- 
ures of the Republican party, and he strongly 
endorses its principles, but has never sought 
office as a reward for party fealty. He be- 
longs to the Presbyterian church and is re- 
spected for his hearty cooperation in all 
measures for the general good. In the line 
of his profession he is connected with the 
Fort Dodge District Medical Society, the 
Central District Medical Society, and the 
^\'estern District Medical Society, and thus 
keeps in touch with the advanced thought 
of the times, his knowledge of medicine and 
his use of remedial agencies making him one 
of the most capable physicians of the town 
and countv. 



JOHN G. HARRISON. 

The home of this wide-awake, intelligent 
and progressive farmer is on section 14, Elm 
Grove township. His farm of two hundred 
and forty acres indicates his careful super- 
vision, for it is neat and thrifty in appear- 
ance and the fields give promise of golden 
harvests. He has always resided in the Mis- 
sissippi \-alley and is a typical resident of 
this part of the county, manifesting in his 
business affairs, the enterprise and resolu- 
tion whicii have led to the splendid substan- 
tial development of the rich territon- bor- 
dering on the father of waters. 

Mr. Harrison is a native of Illinois, his 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



569 



birth having occurred near Chicago, in Cook 
county, on the 14th of December, 1853. ^'^ 
father, Jolm Harrison, was a native of Eng- 
land, and on coming to the new world took 
up his abode in Illinois, developing and im- 
proving a farm in Cook county. He also 
owned and operated a stone quarrv and in 
that locality reared his family and spent his 
remaining days. In the district schools of 
the locality John G. Harrison obtained his 
education and was early taught the value of 
inilustry and honesty as a preparation for 
the duties of life. He remained with his fa- 
ther until he had attained his majority and 
then went to Kansas securing and improv- 
ing a farm in Rice county where he made his 
home for six years. About 1882 he sold that 
property and came to Calhoun county. Af- 
ter renting land for three years he purchased 
a farm. It was in 1888 that he removed to 
his present farm place, purchasing eighty 
acres of raw land. With characteristic en- 
ergy he began its development and soon the 
wild prairie was transformed into rich fields. 
As opportunity offered he extended the bor- 
ders of his farm until it now comprises two 
hundred and forty acres. He removed his 
home to the southern line of the farm and 
he has here a good substantial residence, 
commodious barns and outbuildings and all 
the accessories which are in keeping with the 
progressive spirit of the time. .\n orchard 
yields its fruits in season and .shade trees add 
to the value and attractive appearance of the 
place. In the pastures are found good 
grades of stock and everything' about his 
farm shows the care of a painstaking owner. 
In Green county, Iowa, en the 9th of 
December, 1885. Mr. Harrison was united 
in marriage to Miss Isabella White, a na- 
tive oi Scotland, and a daughter of James 
^\'hite, who on coming to tlie new world 



with his family, settled in Kendall county, 
Illinois, in 1866. Later he removed to Cook 
county where he remained for nine years 
and in 1875 '^^ came to Iowa settling in 
Green county. His daughter obtained her 
education in the common schools and in Jef- 
ferson Institute, and for four or five years 
previous to her marriage successfully en- 
gaged in teaching. The marriage of Mr. and 
Mrs. Harrison has been blessed with seven 
children, namely : ^laggie, George J. : .\lma ; 
Xellic; May; Grace: and James. The par- 
ents hold membership in the Elm Grove 
Presbyterian church and Air. Harrison is 
a stanch Republican in politics, voting a 
straight ticket on national issues. He has 
never sought or desired office in recognition 
of his party fealty, preferring to devote his 
energies to his farm work in which he is 
meeting with very creditable succes. He is, 
however, public spirited and progressive and 
has always done his part in improving the 
county and promoting its welfare along all 
lines of progress. During the twenty years 
of his residence liere he has supported all 
measures for the public good and has be- 
come widely known for his genuine worth 
which is in harmony with the principles of 
honorable manhood. 



FRED HOLTORF. 



Fred Ho]t(^rf has spent his entire life in: 
Calhoun county and is numl)ered among its 
progressive, wide-awake young farmers. He 
is now living on section 4, Butler township, 
where he is operating a tract of arable land, 
the well tilled fields bringing him gocxl har- 
vests. It was in this township that Mr. Hol- 
torf lir.st opened his eyes to the light of day^ 



570 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



his birth occurring on the 20th of January, 
1875. He is the second eldest of the Hving 
sons of C. C. and Margaret (Spies) Hol- 
torf, in whose family were ten children. The 
family is of German lineage and the parents 
are well known farming people of the coun- 
ty, the father having acquired a very valua- 
ble property here as the result of his enter- 
prising efforts. 

Fred Holtorf obtained his education in 
the German schools and was confirmed at 
the age of fourteen. Through the period 
of his boyhood and youth he assisted in the 
culti\'ation of the home farm, giving his fa- 
ther the benefit of his services until twenty- 
six years of age. When a boy he labored in 
field and meadow through the summer 
months and in the winter season attended 
school. He now resides on section 4. But- 
ler township, where he rents one hundred 
and seventy acres of land belonging tO' his 
father. He took up his abode on this place 
in the spring of 1901 and in connection with 
the cultivation of the cereals best adapted 
to this climate he is also engaged in stock- 
Taising. He is a young man, possessing 
laudable ambition, determined purpose and 
industry, and is already winning success. 

On the 1st of January, 1901, Mr. Hol- 
torf was united in marriage to Miss Ber- 
tha Burns, in the German Lutheran church, 
of Pomeroy. She is a daughter of John and 
Helena (Onon) Burns, both of whom were 
natives of Prussia, Germanv. In their fam- 
ily were eight children and in order to pro- 
vide for his household the father has always 
followed the occupation of farming, being a 
veil known agriculturist of this communitv. 
His children are Mrs. Holtorf; Margaret, 
who is living in Pomero\^; Amelia, de- 
ceased ; Fred, also a resident of Pomeroy ; 
two who died in infancv: and Annie and 



Louise, at home. In the high school of Pom- 
eroy Mrs. Holtorf completed her education 
and is a cultured lady who has made her 
home a hospitable one and a favorite resort 
with tlieir many friends. Both our subject 
and his wife hold membership in the Ger- 
man Lutheran church, and belong to the 
Pomeroy synod. In his ptilitical affiliations 
he is a Democrat, and as every true Amer- 
ican citizen should do keeps well informed 
on the issues of the day, but has never . 
sought office, his energies and attention be- 
ing fully occupied by his farming pursuits. 



4 » » 



E. S. BROOKS. 

In the front rank of the columns which 
have advanced the civilization of Calhoun 
county Mr. Brooks has led the way to th^ 
substantial development, progress and up- 
building of the community, being particu- 
larly active in the growth of Lincoln town- 
ship, where he still makes his home. His 
memory goes back to the time when this en- 
tire region was but sparsely settled, the 
lands Ijeing unclaimed by the white men 
who have carried civilization into the re- 
motest corners of the country. His work on 
behalf of improvement and progress has 
been of such a marked nature and bcHefit' 
that he well deserves most prominent men- 
tion in this volume. 

E. S. Brooks was born at Doe's Cor- 
ners, Orange county, \'ermont, on the 14th 
of May, 1832, his parents being Mnason 
and Rosetta (Hartwell) Brooks, both na- 
tives of the Green Mountain state, where 
they were married. The father was a 
wagonmaker and house carpenter, and on 
leaving Vermont removed to Hartford, 
Connecticut, where Ixith he and his wife 
spent their remaining days. In their family 




E. S. BROOKS. 




LYDIA E. BROOKS. 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



575 



were eight children, but ijur suljject is now 
the only survivor. He pursued his educa- 
tion in the schools of Newberry, Vermont, 
and Xew Hartford, Connecticut, and \\'est 
Hartford, Connecticut, and when twenty 
years of age put aside his text-books in or- 
der to learn the more important and difficult 
lessons in the school of experience. On at- 
taining his majority he made his way to the 
west, locating in Illinois, where he engaged 
in farming. He was also employed as sales- 
man in a store for two or three years, but on 
the expiration of that period resumed agri- 
cultural pursuits. 

In \'ictoria, Illinois, on the 29th of No- 
vember, 1855, Mr. Brooks was united in 
marriage to Lydia Eaton Fifield, who was 
lx)rn in Andover, New Hampshire, April 
22, 1838. Her father, Dr. John L. Fifield, 
was a very prominent physician, who prac- 
ticed his profession in \'ictoria and Ro- 
chester, Illinois. He was horn in Salisbury. 
New Hampshire, and was united in mar- 
riage to Laura C. Cushman, whose birth oc- 
curred in Hartford, Vermont, but who was 
taken to East Lebanon, New Hampshire, 
when five years of age. Several years after 
their marriage they emigrated westward, 
settling first in Rochester, Peoria county, 
Illinois. The father continued to engage in 
the practice of medicine throughout the re- 
mainder of his active business life and died 
in Knox county at the age of eighty-five 
years. His wife passed away in Peoria 
county, at the age of fifty-two years. 
They were the parents of eleven children, 
of whom four are yet living, as fol- 
lows: Mrs. Laura A. Smith, of Cleg- 
horn, Iowa; Mrs. Brooks; Mrs. Maria E. 
Foster, of Normal, Illinois; and Mrs. Mary 
H. Woolsey, of Victoria, Illinois, living on 
the old homestead. The marriage of Mr. and 



Mrs. Brooks was blessed with eight chil- 
dren. Five passed on before. The survix- 
ing members of the family are : Lora A. 
Bailey, a resident of Twin \'alley, Minne- 
sota ; Airs. Lydia Eaton Woods, of Peter- 
son, Iowa; and Mrs. Lulu A. CoUson, of 
Fort Dodge, Iowa. 

For several years after his marriage Mr. 
Brooks remained in Victoria, Illinois, then 
went to Altona, that state, whence he came 
to Calhoun county, Iowa, in 1866, making 
his journey in company with Messrs. Van 
Horn. Starr, Hakes and Riner and theii' 
respective families. Mr. Yates came to Ne- 
vada, Iowa, with his family in the fall of 
1865, but also moved to Calhoun county in 
the spring of 1866. The journey was made 
in prairie schooners, and Mr. Brooks took 
up his abode in what is now Lincoln town- 
ship. The county was but sparcely settled, 
the land was barren save for the nati\-e 
grasses which grew upon the plains, and 
vision was unimpeded save where the sky 
and earth seemed to meet. For miles one 
could look across the country over un- 
claimed prairie regions. Mr. Brooks built 
a shanty of raw native timber, as did the 
other members of the party, all of whom se- 
cured homestead claims of eighty acres each- 
There was no settler between Calhoun coun- 
ty and the Dakota and Minnesota boundary 
lines. These men from Illinois organized 
and put into effect a herd law, which is still 
enforced. The township was organized un- 
der the name of Lincoln, which covered a 
broad area, for it included the townships 
now known as Lhicoln, Shermnn, Center, 
Greenfield, Twin Lakes, Williams. Garfield, 
Cedar and Butler. Lake City was then the 
county seat and the little colony from Illi- 
nois sent a delegate to that place in 1866 — 
a distance of twenty-fi\e miles — asking for 



576 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



the organization of a township. Joseph 
Yates established a stage coach relay station 
at Yatesville in 1866, and it was conducted 
as such until the fall of 1869, when the rail- 
road was constructed and the stage coach 
then became a thing of the past, and Yates- 
ville was merged into Manson, Iowa. The 
first election in the township was held at 
Yatesville in the fall of 1866, at which time 
twenty-seven votes were cast. Mr. Brooks 
bore an active part in all of the work of 
progress, improvement and development and 
contributed in a large measure to the 
growth of the county of his adoption. His 
private business interests were then of the 
farm and he carried on agricultural pursuits 
on the old homestead until 1881. when he 
purchased his present home on section sev- 
enteen, Lincoln township. He also owns 
one hundred and sixty acres of land in 
Beadle county. South Dakota, and Mrs. 
Brooks has residence property in Manson. 
He is living in practical retirement from any 
business interests save the management of 
his investments. 

\\'illiam H. Godiar, a young man. ac- 
companied y[r. and Mrs. Brooks westward 
and made his home with them for some 
years, being actively identified with the de- 
velopment of the comity. Eventually he 
went to the west and became wealthy. 
Eugene I. Leighton, who was born in 
Eden, \^ermont, on November 4, 1867, 
came to live with our subject and his wife 
in February, 1873. Here he remained until 
nineteen years of age. He is now in the 
wholesale plumbing business in Fort Dodge. 

Mr. Brooks has long been a stanch sup- 
porter of the Republican party. He has con- 
tributed in many wa,ys to public improve- 
ment and was one of the organizers of the 



Congregational church in 1867, in a school 
house in Lincoln township, later meeting in 
a schoolhouse in South Manson. In 1874. 
the first Congregational church was built 
and Sunday-school and church services were 
conducted there until 1900, when the old 
first pioneer church was torn down and the 
present pleasant and commodious church, 
edifice was erected in its place in Manson. 
Mrs. Brooks became a member of the Con- 
gregational church in 1S53, but left it im 
1898 and joined the Christian Catholic 
church of Zion City, Illinois. The Sunday- 
school was organized three weeks after the 
arrival of the colony in Lincoln township, 
and was held in the home of Mr. Yates with 
an attendance of twenty-eight. Mrs. 
Brooks rode horseback through the settle- 
ment gix'ing notice of the Simday-school or- 
ganization. She is known as one of the 
pioneer Sunday-school organizers of the 
county, and in less than a year the school 
before mentioned had an attendance of sev- 
enty-eight. The influence of Mr. and Mrs. 
Brooks has ever been on the side of 
right, of justice and of truth, and their la- 
bors ha\-e lieen of marked Ijenefit in promul- 
gating Christian principles in this section of 
the county. Honored and respected in every 
class of society, they were in early days 
leaders in thought and action in their cum- 
nuniity and their names are inscribed higli 
on the roll of the leading pioneers. 



EMIL BIGELOW HATCH. 

Emil Bigelow Hatch is on.e of the 
younger representatives of the bar in Cal- 
houn county, but has already attained a 
creditable position in the ranks of the legal- 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



577 



fraternities, and will no doub': win greater 
success as the years pass by. He was born 
in Afton, De Kalb county, Illinois, March 
31. 1877, and is the son of Wallace W. and 
Betsey M. (Chaffee) Hatch, the former a 
native of Xew York and the latter of Con- 
necticut. In early life Mr. Hatch, Sr., en- 
gaged in merchandising and later followed 
the carpenter's trade. Having left the east he 
took up his abode in Illinois and was there 
hving at the time the slavery question in the 
south involved the country in Civil war. He 
therefore with patriotic spirit resjXJnded to 
the call for troops, enlisting in Company I, 
Thirty-first Illinois Infantry, with which he 
served for three years, when he was hon- 
orably discharged. Of recent years he has 
resided in Colorado, where both he and his 
wife now make their home. At one time he 
walked the entire distance from Kansas to 
Arizona, seeking a home for his family. In 
the family are three children, two sons and 
a daughter, namely: Francelia M., aged 
twenty-nine years; Delzaberth, aged twenty- 
seven years ; and Emil B. 

Accompanying his parents in their re- 
moval to Colorado , Emil B. was there ■ 
reared. He pursued his education in the 
public schools and after completing the high 
school course, he took up the study of law, 
which he pursued for five years under the 
direction of Judge Minor and Judge At- 
W'Ocd, both of Colorado. Later he was a stu- 
dent for two years in the University of Colo- 
rado and was graduated in the class' of 1898. 
The following year he was admitted' to the 
bar and for a year afterw.ard was in the ofilice 
of Judges Minor and .\twoo<l on a salary. He 
then went to Sterling, Logan county, Col- 
orado, where he practiced for about a year 
as partner' of a learned and able judge of 



Logan county, and in 1900 came to Farn- 
ham\-ille, Calhoun county. Iowa, where he 
is now located. He gives his entire atten- 
tion to his profession and has already gained 
a good clientage, and has had actual practice 
in all the courts of the state. 

On the 23d of June, 1901, Mr. Hatch 
was united in marriage to Miss Enola ]\Iae 
Mendenhall Warner, who was born in Ban- 
gor, [Marshall county, lo-wa, October 30, 
1878, a daughter of William and Eliza (Mc- 
Daniels) Mendenhall. Her father died in 
1881, but her mother is residing' near Lohr- 
ville, Iowa, ten miles west of Farnham\ille. 
In his political affiliations Mr. Hatch has al- 
ways been a stanch Rqxiblican, and in his 
religious views is a Methodist, but does not 
hold membership with any church. Frater- 
nally he is associated with the Modern 
Woodmen Camp, Xo. 7318, of Colorado. A 
young man, ambitious, determined and reso- 
lute, he has already gained an enviable po- 
sition for one of his years as a representa- 
tive of the legal profession, and his business 
is constantly increasing in volume and im- 
portance. His genial manner and courteous 
disposition have made him popular and he 
has gained a large circle of friends in the 
communit}'. 

» « » 

JOHX W. ILER. 

John \\'. Her has since 1887 been a rq>- 
resentative of the train service of the Chica- 
go & Xorthwestern Railroad Company, and 
is one of its most efficient engineers. He 
makes his home at Lake City and throughout 
his entire life has resided in Iowa, his birth 
having occurred in Fella, Marion county. 
His father, Julin F. Her, was a native of 



578 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Kentucky, born near Louis\-ille. \Mien he 
attained the adult age, he was united in mar- 
riage to Mary A. Earp. wlio was also lx)rn 
in Kentucky, but their marriage was cele- 
brated in ]Marion county, Iowa, in 1857. The 
father was a farmer by occupation and fol- 
lowed that pursuit in order to provide for his 
family of ten children. Five of the num- 
ber died in infancy, while five are still liv- 
ing, namely: Almeda E., the wife of Louis 
Rice, a farmer of Sac count}-, Iowa ; John 
W., of this review; Zella, the wife of C. E. 
Brady, an agriculturist of Calhoun county ; 
Lorenzo D., also a farmer of this county ; 
and Roscoe E., a miller of Grant City, Iowa. 
The parents are still living, now making 
their home in Sac county, where they re- 
moved from Marion county in 1878. The 
father has attained the ripe old age of sev- 
enty-three years and both are highly respect- 
ed people, enjoying the confidence and good 
■will of many friends. 

John W. Her at the usual age began his 
education attending the public schools of 
Pella, Sac county, and of Grant City, Iowa. 
He made his home witli his parents until 
1884, when he began traveling and spent 
two years in Colorado and Nebraska, but in 
1886 returned to Sac county, this state, 
where he worked at the carpenter's trade un- 
til the spring of 1887, when he entered the 
service of the Chicago & Northwestern Rail- 
road Company, with which he has since been 
connected. He came to Lake City and for 
about a year was employed as carpenter in 
the roundhouse at this place. In 1888 he 
began firifig on the Northern Iowa division, 
running out from Lake City, and continued 
to serve in that capacity until 1892, when he 
was promoted to the position of locomoti\e 
engineer on the same division. For alxuit 
ten vears he served in this way, being most 



careful in the performance of his duty and 
thus gaining the confidence and approval of 
the company. During all this time he has 
ever with faithful diligence cared for the in- 
terests of the corporation, which he repre- 
sents. 

On the 23d of October, 1891, Mr. Her 
was united in marriage to Miss Viola M. 
Morgan, the daughter of R. H. Morgan, 
who is employed as foreman at the round 
house of the Chicago & Northwestern Rail- 
road Company at Elmore, Minnesota. Unto 
out subject and his wife ha\-e been born 
three children; Norma Mvril, who was Ijorn 
October 8, 1892; Myron Morgan, born Oc- 
tober 5, 1894; and Diral Dewey, who was 
born in May, 1897, and died November 2^, 
lyoo. Mr. Her holds membership with the 
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and 
with the Improved Order of Red Men and 
is well liked in these fraternities. He pos- 
sesses many sterling characteristics and qual- 
ities, which endear him to his friends and 
by all w ho know him he is held in the ihgh- 
est esteem. 



E. L. HOBBS. 



Among the eminent men of Calhoun 
county who ha\-e long been closely and hon- 
crably associated with the history of this 
section of the state is E. L. Hobbs, who was 
born in New York, in 'Sq>tember, 1837, his 
parents being Benjamin and Lucy (Bea- 
man) Hobbs, the former a native of Mas- 
sachusett'i, and the latter of \'ermont. They 
were married in New York and there the 
father engaged in farming. He was a \Miig 
in politics and he served his country as a 
soldier of the war of 181 2, holding the rank 
of cajitain. Both he and his wife spent their 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



579 



days in the Empire state and b}- their -mar- 
riage six sons and four daughters were born. 
Hannah became tlie wife of J. F. Short, but 
both are now tleceased. Henry married 
Asenath Hapgoid and is deceased, but his 
widow resides in New York. Benjamin 
married Polly Cannon, and died in the Civil 
war, while his wife has also passed away. 
]\Iary became the wife of Ira Brown and 
they too are deceased. Josiali married Char- 
lotte Barker and they have been called to 
the home beyond. Thomas married Alvira 
Keith, and his widow is living in New York. 
Lucy is the widow of M. Taylor and resides 
in Liwrence, Kansas. Edward married a 
Baltimore lady and is living in the Empire 
state. E. L. is the next younger, and Julia 
is the widow of Richard Simmons and 
makes her home in Oskalooosa, Iowa. 

In the district .schools. E. L. Hobbs ac- 
quired his earlv education which was sup- 
plemented by study in Potsdam Seminary. 
At the age of twenty-four he left school and 
joined the L'nion army, enlisting in the fall 
of 1 86 1 in Potsdam, as a member of Com- 
pany A, Xinety-second New York Infantry, 
with which he went to the south, joining the 
Army of the Potomac. He participated in 
all the skirmishes and battles under Generals 
McClellan, Pope and Burnside. and for one 
year was in the regular ser\-ice, after which 
he was assigned to the engineer corps, thus 
serving for a }'ear when he was honorably 
discharged. 

Returning to St. Lawrence county. New 
York, Mr. Hobbs first engaged in teaching 
school but soon afterward sought a home 
in the west. Before coming to Iowa, how- 
ever, he was married on tlie ist of January, 
1863, in Xew \'ork, to Miss Kate Johnson, 
who was born in the northern part of the 
Empire state and was a daughter of D. D. 



and Caroline (Ingerson) Johnson. Her par- 
ents were married in New York where they 
spent their remaining days, and in their 
family were four daughters and one son. 
L^nto Mr. and ]\Irs. Hobbs have been torn 
four sons and one daughter : Mary, who is 
teaching school in Marengo, Iowa : Clar- 
ence, who' married Estella Hancher, and is 
a grain buyer and dealer in stock and real 
estate in Plover, Iowa ; Lucy, who- is a grad- 
uate of the schools of Mt. Vernon, Iowa, 
and is now engaged in teaching; Julia, who 
was educated in ]\Iount Vernon and became 
the wife of Arthur Bragginton, who died in 
the spring of 1891, four months after their 
marriag'e and his widow is now teaching 
school in Aurora, Illinois ; and Edna, who 
is attending school in ]\Iorningside College 
near Sioux City, Iowa. 

After his marriage yir. Hobbs came to 
Benton county, loiwa, where he engaged in 
the insurance business. After three years 
he took up his abode in Calhoun county in 
1868 and not only engaged in farming and 
stock raising b.ere, but was actively and 
jirominently identified with educational in- 
terests as a school teacher. In 1871 he was 
elected superintendent of schools and filled 
that position most acceptably and creditably 
for four years. Pie has taught for a num- 
ber of years in Calhoun county and his in- 
fiuence and labors in behalf of intellectual 
de\'el()i)nient have been most effecti\'e and 
commendable. His own zeal and interest 
in the work inspired and encouraged his pu- 
pils and many ij\ve their interest in school 
to his efforts. During the greater part of 
his residence in Calhoun county, he has also 
been associated with agricultural jHirsuits 
and at one time owned and operated over 
four hundred acres of , land. 

Mr. Hobbs is well fitted for leadership 



58o 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and has taken an active part in molding 
public thought and opinion in this portion 
■of the state. His fellow citizens, recogniz- 
ing his worth and ability honored him with 
election to the state legislature on the Re- 
publican ticket and he served as a member of 
the twenty-second and twenty-third gen- 
eral assemblies of Iowa. While in the house 
he acted as chairman of the education com- 
mittee and was also on a number of other 
important committees. He gave to each 
question which came up for consideration 
his careful thought and attention, and his 
support of a measure indicated his firm be- 
lief in its efficiency for the public good. In 
his county he has served as a member of the 
board of supervisors and as a member of the 
school board, as township clerk, and in fact, 
in almost all local offices. He belongs to 
the Grand Army of the Republic and is a 
most earnest, faithful and consistent member 
of the ]\Iethodist Episcopal church in which 
he is serving" as class leader. 



CHARLES \\'. LE\\IS. 

Success is determined by one's ability 
to recognize opportunity, and to pursue this 
with a resolute and unflagging energv. It 
results from continued labor, and the man 
who thus accomii>lishes his purpose usually 
becomes an important factor in the business 
circles of the community with which he is 
connected. Mr. Lewis, through such means, 
has attained a leading place among the rep- 
resentative men of Calhoun county, and liis 
well spent and honorable life commands the 
respect of all who know him. 

^Ir. Lewis was l)nrn in Boonesboro, 
"Washington county. Maryland, Xoveml)er 



4, 1852, a son of Charles and ]\Iary (Lynch) 
Lewis, the former of w'hom was born in 
Loudoun county, Virginia, August 13, 
1822, the latter in Fredickstown, Maryland, 
November 20, 1820, His paternal grandfa- 
ther, Washington Lewis, was a native of 
Wales and an early settler of Loudon coun- 
ty, Virginia, where he followed farming un- 
til called to his final rest in 1869. Our sul> 
ject"s maternal grandfather, John Lynch, 
served for eight years in the Revolutionary 
war and made his home in Frederick county, 
^Maryland, where he died in 1834. Charles 
Lewis, the father of our subject, made his 
home in his native county until 1850, but 
since that time has been a resident of \\'ash- 
ington county, ^Maryland. He is an in- 
dustrious and energetic man and has made 
farming his life occupation. His estimable 
wife passed away in 1891, at the age of 
seventy-one years. Of the nine children 
born to them one died in infancy, and four 
others are also deceased. Those Ii\'ing are 
Mrs. Barbara Cooper, of Union township, 
Calhoun county, Iowa; John W., of Texas; 
Mrs. Laura Early, of Washington county, 
Maryland : and Charles W., of this re\iew. 
In the county of his nativity Charles ^^'. 
Lewis grew to manhood and is indebted to 
its public schools for his educational privil- 
eges. On leaving home in 1871 he went to 
Lebanon county, Pennsylvania, where he 
learned the shoemaker's trade, which he 
followed for fourteen years. In the mean- 
time he removed to Will county. Illinois, in 
1875. and the following year took up his 
residence in Livingston county, that state, 
where he spent sixteen years. He discon- 
tinued work at his trade in 1885. and on the 
25th of March, of that year, he commenced 
farming on rented land. In 1890 he bought 
a tract of one hundred and sixty acres, which 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



581 



he sold the following year, and in the spring 
of 1892 came to Callioun county, Iowa, 
Avliere he purchased three hundred and 
twenty acres near Lohrville. There he made 
his home until 1901, when he disjTosed of 
that place and lx)Ught the farm where he 
resided until his removal to Lohrville. He 
recently sold the latter place, together with 
a farm of two hundred and forty acres, 
which he owned in Logan township, this 
county, and has purchased a whole section 
in Calhoun township. Besides this property 
lie owns three hundred and twenty acres 
of land in Kossuth county, Iowa, and a like 
amount in Canadian county, Oklahoma. 

Air. Lewis was married September 5, 
1878, the lady of his choice being Miss Anna 
Herbert, who was torn in Canada, July 12, 
1850; and is a daughter of James H. and 
Esther (Wilson) Herbert. In early life her 
father followed the shoemaker's trade, but 
was later engaged in the baken' business for 
a number of years. He died on the 3d of 
x\ugust, 1893, but his wife survived him un- 
til March i, 1902. They were the parents of 
thirteen children, but onlv two are now liv- 
ing: Mrs. Kate Carlton, of Livingston 
county, Illinois, and Anna, wife of our sub- 
ject. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Lewis were iDorn 
four children, but Howard H. died at the 
age of fourteen months and Frank died in 
infancy. The others are Warren H., who 
was born February 2 7,. 18S1. and is now 
preparing for the legal profession in the 
Iowa University ; and Clarence Earl ,who 
was born October 20. 1884, and is follow- 
ing farming in Oklahoma. 

Religiously Mr. and Mrs. Lewis are 
members of the Methodist Episcopal church, 
and fraternally he is connected with the Yeo- 
man Lodge. By his ballot he supports the 
Republican party and its principles, but takes 



no acti\'e part in politics aside from \-oting, 
preferring to gi\-e his undi\ided attention to 
his e.xtensive business interests. For se\"eral 
years he has made a specialty of horse breed- 
ing and dealing, and at the present time has 
sixty-three fine Norman (Perchenjn) horses. 
He also feeds cattle quite extensively, and 
now has five hundred head upon his different 
farms, mostly of Hereford, Durham and 
polled Angus breeds. When he commenced 
farming in 1885 ^^ Iiad but five huixlred 
dollars, but through the combined efforts 
of himself and wife has become one of the 
most prosperoiis and substatial citizens of 
his community. Industry, activity and en- 
ergy^ have been the crowning points of his 
success, and have enabled him to attain an 
envable position in business circles. 



OLA ANDERSON. 



A fine farm of four hundred and si.xty 
acres on section 9, Sherman township, is the 
property of Ola Anderson. A native of Swe- 
den, lie was born in Southport, February 23, 
1853. His father, .Andrew Pearson, was a 
farmer of that country and in the family 
were five sons and three daughters, all of 
whom are now residents of Omaha. X^ebras- 
ka, with the excei>tion of our subject and one 
sister. The children are Swan. John. Ola, 
Charles, Peter, Nels, and Bessie and Chris- 
tina, who are twins. The parents have both 
]5assed away, the father having died in 1895, 
the mother in 1900. 

In the schools of his native land Mr. 
Anderson obtained his education and was 
also taught that the most potent factors in 
a successful career are industry. perse\er- 
ance and honest\-. lie w irked in his native 



582 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



land until 1882. when, believing that he 
might better his financial condition in the 
new ivorld, he came to America. He did 
not tarry on the Atlantic coast but at once 
proceeded to Calhoun county and here he 
rented a farm, which he operated for seven 
years, when with the capital he had acquired 
through his capable management, he pur- 
chased the southeast quarter of section 9. 
Sherman township. This was in 1887 and 
in 1889 he bought the north half of the 
northeast quarter of section 16. taking up 
his abode upon the latter tract. In 1899 he 
bought the southwest quarter of section 9 
and he now owns altogether four hundred 
acres of rich land, all of which is highly 
improved. There are two sets of buildings 
upon the place and everything is neat and 
thrifty in appearance, indicating the careful 
supervision of the ow^ner. In addition to 
the raising of grain best adapted to the cli- 
mate, Mr. Anderson pays a great deal of 
attention to stock raising. 

Ere leaving his native land, our subject 
was united in marriage in October, 1879, to 
Miss Johanna Anderson, a daughter of 
j\Ir. and Mrs. Andrew Xelson, who have 
resided for some time in Calhoun county. 
The father was born December 6, 1828, and 
the mother February 27, 1835. Tliey have 
three sons and three daughters, all of whom 
are living in this country, namely : Xellie, 
a resident of Omaha ; Mrs. Anderson, of this 
review; ^lollie, the wife of John Planteer, 
of Omaha ; Xels, also of Omaha ; August, of 
Pocahontas county ; and Pete, who is living 
in Calhoun county. 

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Anderson 
has been blessed with seven children, as fol- 
lows: Hilda, born in Sweden, April 18. 
1881 ; Alma, born Sejitember 18, 1882; \'ic- 
tor, born October 8, 1884 ; Fred, born Janu- 



ary 14, 1886: Freda, born September 20, 
1888; Olga, born October 5, 1891 : and Ma- 
bel, born August 5, 1898. The parents hold 
membership in the Swedish Lutheran church 
of Manson, and in his political views Mr. 
Anderson is a Republican and has served 
as school director for one term. He has never 
had occasion tO' regret his determination to 
seek a home in the new world, for here he 
found the opportunity he sought and has 
not only gained success in business, but 
has also won many warm friends. There is 
no more loyal citizen of American to be 
found among her native sons than is Mr. 
Anderson, who believes most firmly in the 
policy of the American government and is 
most loyal in his support of her institutions. 



MANSFIELD E. MACK. 

Mansfield E. Mack, who is engaged in 
the practice of law in Manson, where he has 
gained a distinctively representati\e client- 
age, was lx)rn in Xew York city. May 17, 
1876. His parents, Arthur and Edith (Cal- 
hon) Mack, were natives of the eastern me- 
tropolis and were there married. The father 
engaged in the real estate and brokerage 
business and is still living in Xew York, his 
extensixe business affairs having brought to 
him wealth, while his qualities for leadership 
have made him one of the influential resi- 
dents of his native place. He politically sui> 
ports the Democracy and while he might 
have attained to high political honors,* he 
has always refused office. He is, however, 
an exemplary member of the Masonic fra- 
ternity. His wife died in 1887. In the fam- 
ily were twelve children, but the first two 
died in infancv. The others are: Sevmour 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



583 



S., wiio is married ami resides in Xew Ynrk, 
wliere he is engaged in business as a banker 
and broker; Pearl, the wife of George Greer, 
of Brooklyn, Xew York; Estelle, the wife 
of Charles Watson, of Xew York city ; Min- 
nie I., the wife of George Brown, of Brook- 
lyn ; IMansfield E. ; David, who is connected 
with railroad interests and makes his home 
in Holxiken, New Jersey ; Lester, a practic- 
ing dentist, of Crab Orchard, Xebraska ; 
Mortimer J., of Brookl_\n, and two others, 
who died in infancy. 

The public schools of Xew York city 
furnished Mansfield E. Mack his early edu- 
cation and was graduated in the high schocil 
in June. 1890. He remained at JTome until 
Ma\' 12, 1891, when he came to Iowa and 
for a time was employed on a farm near 
Eagle Grove. Subsequently he engaged in 
clerking and later entered the State Univer- 
sity of Iowa, where, after pursuing a three 
years' course in law, he was graduated with 
the class of 1897. In June of the same year 
he was admitted to the bar and opened an 
office in Xe\vell, Iowa, where he entered upon 
his professional work remaining there for 
two years and se\en months. On the e.x- 
piration of that period he came to Manson, 
where he has since remained actively con- 
nected with the profession, which has im- 
portant bearing upon the stable prosjierity 
of a community by furthering the ends of 
justice and individual rights. 

On the 23d of October, 1901, in Man- 
son, Mr. Mack was unied in marriage to 
Miss Gertrude Whittlesey, wlio was born in 
this state. May 3, 1878, and is a daughter 
of C. A. Whittlesey. Both Mr. and Mrs. 
j\lack are well known in the community and' 
have a large circle of friends. He has real 
estate interests in Manson (Uitside of his i>os- 
sessions, but his chief attention is given to 
32 



his law practice which he con.stantly in- 
creases both in volume and importance. In 
politics he is a Republican and for one year 
has served as city attorney in Manson. 



JOHN E. OW'EX. 

John E. Owen, deceased, was born in 
Rockport, Xew York, on the 9th of August, 
1812, his parents being Noah and Elizabeth 
(Pixley) Owen. y\t the age of thirteen 
years he was apprenticed to a cabinet-maker, 
with whom he remained until he attained his 
majority. Having completely mastered the 
trade, he then worked as a journeyman cabi- 
net-maker in most of the principal cities' of 
the Empire state, the last place being Phil- 
lipsport. New York. 

\Vhile there Mr. Owen was united in 
marriage, September 19, 1839, to Diantha 
Parker, who was born in Vermont, Janu- 
ary 13, 1816, and remained with her parents 
until she became the wife of our subject. 
In early life she engaged in school teaching 
in New York. For a time Mr. and Mrs. 
Owen made their home in Stephenson coun- 
ty, Illinois, and from there remo\-ed to Rock 
Lsland, Illinois, where he worked at his trade, 
for four years. A year after locating there 
Mrs. Owen's parents came west by team and 
settled in Scott ctjunty, Iowa, being among 
the pioneers of that locality. After spending 
four years in Rock Island our subject and his 
wife also kx-ated in Scott county, where he 
followed the carpenter's trade up to the 
time of his death, which occurred February 
2^, 1869. His upright, honorable life 
gained for him the ccmlidence and respect of 
all with wliiim he was bnjught in i.'iintact. 



584 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



either in business or social life, and he well 
merited the esteem in which he was univer- 
sally held. 

After her husband's death Airs. Owen 
made her home with her children in Scott 
county until 1872, when the family came to 
Calhoun county, and she lived with her son. 
L. J. Owen, near Lake City, where he was 
engaged in farming upon land rented of Cap- 
tain Fitch, In 1878 he Ijought eighty acres 
of land near Rockwell City, and upon that 
farm his mother lived with him until her 
death, which occurred in April. 1898. In 
the family were five children, two sons and 
three daughters, namely : L. J., who is still 
living on the farm near Rockwell City and 
is successfully engaged in agricultural ])ur- 
suits; Emily A., born July 26, 1844: Fran- 
cis H., born July 2, 1847, married and is now 
engaged in carpenter work in Rockwell Citv ; 
May M., born August.9, 1850. married Reu- 
ben D. Smith and died, leaving four chil- 
dren; and Leclair J., born Marcli 3, 1854, 
keeping house for her brother, L. J. The 
family is one of prominence in the commun- 
ity where thev reside. 



C. D. FCLTON. 

C. D. Fulton has been numbered among 
the citizens of Manson, Calhoiui county, 
since 1S85. He is a self-made man wiio, 
without any extraordinary family or pecu- 
niary advantages at the comn-,encement of 
life, has !)attled earnestly and energetically, 
and by indcimitable courage and integritv 
has achieved both character and fortune. By 
sheer force ot will and untiring efYort be 
has worked his Avay upward and is mim- 
bercd among the lending business men of 
Calhoun countv. 



Mr. Fulton is a native of the Empire 
state, his birth liaving occurred in St. Law- 
rence county on the 13th of July, 1831, his 
parents being A. and Irene (Robinson) Ful- 
ton, who were natives of New York. In 
that state they were married and continued 
to reside throughout their remaining days, 
the father devoting his attention to agricult- 
ural pursuits. He was a Republican in his 
political affiliations and was a tnember of 
the Wesleyan Methodist church. Unto him 
and his wife were born eleven children, of 
whom eight are yet living, namel_\- : Dan- 
iel, a resident of Morley, New York; C. D., 
of this review ; A., who married Loretta Wal- 
Jace, and resides in Peterson, Clay county, 
Iowa: Oscar, a resident of Welsh, Louisi- 
ana ; Rufus, who is living at Morley, New 
York; Renia, the wife of James A. Day, 
and resides in Welsh, Louisiana; James, 
who married Libbie \\'allace, and makes 
his home in Lisbon Center, New York: and 
Jennie, who becanle the wife of N. B. Flack, 
of Boone, Iowa. 

The educational privileges which C. D. 
Indton received were somewhat limited. For 
a short time he was a student in the district 
school near his home, i)ut he and his elder 
brother had to aid in the ojieration of the 
home farm in order to helj) support the 
fanuly, for the father was in limited tinan- 
cial circumstances and could not afford to 
employ farm hands. Therefore oiu- suljject 
remained under the parental roof until he 
had attained his majority, after which he 
worked as a farm hanfl for others and was 
also employed in a sawmill, remaining in 
\'ew ^ ork until twenty-three vears of age. 
Believing that he might have Ijetter business 
opi>ortnnities in the west where competition 
was not so great, he decided to remove to 
the Mississippi valley, and took up his abode 



THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



585 



ill Maniti.nvnc, Wisconsin. In that state lie 
was employed in the liiniljer regions, secur- 
ing a position in a sawmill where he re- 
mained for a year. On the expiration of 
that period he olitained a respiinsible posi- 
tion. l>eing made foreman nf the himl>er 
mills owned by B. Jones & Co. For nine 
years he served in that capacity, enjoying 
to the fullest measure the confidence, re- 
spect and good will of his employers, whose 
interests he fully served. In the year 1863 
he arrived in Iowa, locating first at \'inton, 
where he began business on his own account 
as proprietor of a hardware store in connec- 
tion with C. E. Porter, under the firm name 
of Porter & Fulton. That connection was 
maintained for sixteen years and a constant- 
ly increasing business brought tO' him a very 
desirable income. At length, however, Mr. 
Fulton sold out and removed to Peterson. 
Iowa, where, as a member of the firm of Ful- 
ton & Wells, he continued his connection 
with the hardware trade for five years. It 
was in 1885 that he arrived in Manson. hav- 
ing completed business arrangements where- 
by he took charge of the business of the 
^Visconsin Lumber Company, one of the 
most extensi\e enterprises of the kind in this 
part of the state. His previous long ex- 
perience with the lumber trade well fitted 
him for the task, and he has since capably 
managed its business affairs so that his work 
results with profit In himself and the firm 
which he represents. The company is di- 
vided into l)i-anches, known as the Wiscon- 
sin Lumber Company and the Green Bay 
Lumber Coni])any. Most of the stock is 
owned by the members of the Finkbine fam- 
ily of l)es .Moines, Iowa. They ha\c more 
tlian seventy-five different lumber yards, in- 
cluding the one at Manson. During the ad- 



ministration of the comi)any's affairs b\- Mr. 
Fulton at this place, the patronage of the 
yard has largely increased, a fact which 
speaks in high terms of his business ability 
and executive force. He is a man of un- 
questioned relialiility. ccjrdial in manner, 
and liberal in the conduct of his interests, 
an<l has won a host of friends throughout 
the northeastern part of Calhoun count}-. 

While residing in W'isconsin, Mr. Ful- 
ton was united in inarriage to Miss Ellen 
Goodenow, who was born in Oswego. New 
York, and was a daughter of Washington 
Goodenow. She died in Vinton. Iowa, 
leaving two daughters. The eider. Carrie 
L., is ncnv the wife of Andrew J. Allen, a 
hardware merchant of Independence, Iowa ; 
and Florence is the wife of D. I. Nethrow, 
who is assistant superintendent of the asy- 
lum in Inflei)eiKlence, Iowa. While in Pet- 
erson, this state, Mr. Fulton was again mar- 
ried, his second union being with Sarah Pa- 
vey. Both Mr. and Mrs. Fulton are con- 
nected with the Masonic fraternitw He be- 
longs to Morning Light Lodge. Ko. 384. F. 
& A. M., and they are both members of 
Evening Light Lodge, No. 36, O. E. S. I-"or 
more than f(.irtv-seven vears Mr. l'\iIton has 
been identified with the craft and is one of 
its most exemplar)- members, who in his 
life shows forth the beneficent spirit of 
Masonry, which is based upon the brother- 
hood of niankind. He takes a very acti\'e in- 
terest in all that pertains to the advance- 
n-ient of the county in which he lives and 
cooperates heartily in every i-iicasure which 
he believes is for the general good. Capable 
of controlling extensi\-e and im]X)rtaiit busi- 
ness interests, he to-day occupies a leading 
position in connection with industrial and 
con-imercial affairs in tiiis ixjrtion of Iowa. 



